Anticipations.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 515, 1 November 1900, Page 12

Anticipations.

CANTERBURY J-C- METROPOLITAN MEETING.

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

fby

Petronel.]

Everything points to a most successful gathering at Biccarton for the Metropolitan Meeting, which commences on Saturday, and will be continued on three days of next week. The general entries, while falling short of last year’s total for three days’ racing, are distinctly good. This year the C.J.O. has added a fourth day, and for the races to be run on that occasion one hundred and fifty horses have been entered, making a Wal for the meeting of three hundred and eighty-nine. The total is an excellent one. This part of the colony will not be largely represented, for only three horses from the Auckland District are on the scene of operations. More Auckland horses were nominated, but from one cause and another they have dropped out, and it is very likely that only Miss Delaval and Cavaliero will do battle for the Northern province. Record Beign, who broke down last week and had to be withdrawn from the Cup, is in some of the hurdle races, but I do not regard him in the light of a starter. From various causes the field for the New Zealand Cup has been reduced until a very small number of runners are likely to see the post. There are eleven horses still in, and even this number may be reduced when the final payment—which will fall due after this is in print—is made. Perhaps this year the task of selecting the winner is rather more easy than usual on account of the numerical weakness of the field. Then the quality of those still engaged is not very remarkable if Malatua, Tortulla, and Miss Delaval are excepted. Fulmen has once run second in the race, but otherwise he has not shown himself a racehorse to be ’classed in the first rank. I originally selected Malatua as one of those likely

to supply the winner of the big handicap of the j ear, and so far there is nothing to cause me to leave him oat of consideration. Of course had Record Reign remained in and kept well until the last I should have pinned my faith to him, and have given Malatua second place. Malatua is a racehorse, and by his second to Seahorse in the same race last year he is entitled to be considered a good racehorse. At this time last year Seahorse was a great three-year-old, and it was no disgrace to Malatua to be beaten by such a colt, even though the latter gave him 71b. Walter Hickenbotham, who has been train ing Seahorse at Flemington, declares that he is the best horse he ever had in his hands, and that neither Carbine or Newhaven could have bettered the performance that the Nelson colt recently accomplished on the Flemington track. It is believed that Malatua has made the improvement which a horse should between four and five years of age. If that is so, and his latest performances at Riccarton show that he is in good form, then he must be considered a dangerous candidate. Last year he beat everything, bar the champion, Seahorse, and taking a line through the latter, if he has improved on the same ratio as Major George’s colt, then Malatua must have a big chance in this year’s Cup. Afterrunning second to Seahorse, Malatua carring 7st 111b—7st 91b was his handicap—was only beaten a head by Explosion, Bst 81b, in the Metropolitan Handicap, run in 2min 38 4-sth sc On the third day of the Meeting, he won the Jockey Club Handicap, one mile, carrying Bst 21b, getting home comfortably from Skobeleff, 6st 71b, and Rochester, Bat 21b, in lmin 43 4-sth.secs. Malatua’s next appearance was at the C.J 0 Summer Meeting in the Midsummer Handicap, one mile and a-half. Carrying Bst 131 b, Dan O Brien’s horse was unplaced. Ben Farley, 7st 11b, won by a head from Skobeleff, 7st 61bin 2min 36 2-sth sec. At the C.J.C Autumn Meeting, Malatua won the Great Easter Handicap, seven furlongs, iu lmin 29 l-sth sec. He carried Bst 13lb, and won comfortably from Jupiter and Jabber. On the second day, carrying 9st 61b, he was unaccountably beaten by Dundas, Bst, in the Great Autumn Handicap in 2min 40 2-sth sec, with Skobeleff, 7st 61b, half-a-length away third. Malatua has not been seen in public since. There have been many rumours concerning the Malua horse lately, and “ pitch and toss ” would fairly describe the way he has been handled in the market. During the past ten days, his work has been of a satisfactory nature, and on Saturday morning he recorded, in company with Dundas, the fastest mile and a-half of the present season. When beaten by Dundas, he was cjnceding 201bs In Saturday’s race the pair meet at a difference of 121bs, over half-a mile more ground. In the same race Malatua gave Skobeleff 281bs an! beat him. On Saturday he meets the Stepniak gelding on 71bs better terms, with the extra half-mile thrown in. We know that Malatua will stay the full journey, and that we are not positive the others can do. Fulmen ran second to Tirant d’Eau, but I do not think he is at the present time the horse he was on that occasion two years ago. Tortulla, Bst 41b, who is now a better favourite than Malatua, won three races last season and ran a meritorious eecond to Advance in the Wanganui Cup, when giving the smasher lllbs. The Torpedo mare won a race at the Wanganui Spring Meeting last September, and she showed then that she was in good form. The Wanganui t up, one mile and three-quarters, is the longest distance she has ever essayed, but though she only got second to Advance, she easily accounted for the rest of the field. She gave Skobeleff 141bs on that occasion, and beat him handsomely. In Saturday’s race she concedes the Stepniak gelding 161bs. In the Hawke’s Bay cup, when giving Skobeleff 251bs, she beat him by two lengths, in turn succumbing to Tire, 7st 91b, by the shortest of heads. Taking a guide through Skobeleff, the difference between Malatua and, Tortulla would seem to be slight, but the horse is a proved stayer, and I believe he will be able to give the mare 51bs over the two mile journey. Fulmen, of course, may run the race of his life, but there is nothing in his track work to warrant the assumption and 1 am -of the opinion that Fulmen is not even the Fulmen of last year, and is still further behind the Fulmen of two years ago. Therefore I do not consider that he has much chance in Saturday’s race. Miss Delaval is as game a little filly as ever wore racing plates, and,fas I said last week, if the race is a slow run one her brilliant pace may come in very usefully at the finish. Miss Delaval has not undergone such a preparation as is usually apportioned for a race like the New Zealand Cup, but she won the Great . orthern Derby after a week of idleness. Probably she was lucky to be enrolled among the winners of that classic race, but still her finish was remarkably brilliant. The way the race was run suited her admirably. Had Seahorse made his own running at a strong pace Dan McLeod’s filly would have never been near by the time the judge was reached. I think Miss Delaval will run a good race, and if there is to be a “ boil over ” she is the most likely starter to effect its Dundas has been doing really well in some of his gallops on the track, and that form has caused him to be well backed. The Perkin Warbeck gelding has a handy impost in 7st 111 b, and should he run up to his best track form he will be forward up to a mile and a-half. There is nothing in his past performanc s to make one regard him as one likely to stay out two miles, and there are one or two below him that I shall

expect to see in front at the finish of the race. I think Malatua may be looked upon as safe to beat Dundas. Djin Djin is not regarded as a dangerous candidate, for he is said to be short of work, and it is considered likely that he will go out. Ideal is a good little mare, and, with 7st 51b, s.e is nicely weighted. The Hon J. D. Ormond has never won a New Zealand Cup. The Hawke’s Bay owner always enters freely but luck has been against him. The victory of his colours would be very popular, more particularly as the big favourite of last year, Sir Launcelot, went lame just the day before the race. Ideal is a very fair performer up to a mile and a-quarter, and though she has no doubt been highly tried, it is a bit of a task to look upon her as the probable winner of a race like the New Zealand Cup. rhe is only a pony to look at, but they run well in all shapes and sizes, so objection must not be taken on that account. There is another objection. Ideal has never shown good form at Biccarton. Skobeleff has come in pretty well in the consideration of other horses about him in the handicap. On paper he does not look to possess much chance against Malatua or Tortulla. It is stated with confidence that he is quite a different animal to what he was last season, but as he has not been showing much galloping at Biccarton that must be treated as hearsay. Had Sant Ilario kept well there is very little doubt as to which would have been the Yaldhurst first string, and on that account and on past deeds I feel I must discard Skobeleff. Strathnairn, Materoa and Huku, the three light weights, have nothing to complain about on the score of avoirdupois. The Gisborne mare’s recent public form was not such as to warrant great admiration of her chanca in Saturday’s race. Still I hear she has since been backed by the right people, and she may ba regarded as one sure to give a good exhibition. Strathnairn and Huku have only lheir recent good track f erm to recommend them, for nobody could support them on recent public exhibitions. Track form and very recent track form must not be overlooked, and on that account I take Milatua, Dundas, Strathnairn and Huku as sure to run prominently in the race Tortulla, on past deeds, is entitled to great respect. At the time of writing I do not know how she has shaped at Biccarton, but she must run well on Saturday. I cannot get away from the claims of Dan . O’Brien’s horse. He has got over the distance before, behind perhaps one of the best colts New Zealand will ever see. He is of the age when horses should be at their best, and he has lately been doing good work. I shall therefore plump for MALATUA, and shall expect to. see a battle for places between Tortulla, Huku, Stbathnaien and Miss Delaval. After the New Zealand Cup, the most interesting race on the first day will be the Stewards’ Stakes. 9 here will be a good field for the six furlong race, and probably a very fine battle will be witnessed. Goldspur, Formosan, Paladin, St Denis, Jabber, and Ostiak are six from which I expect the winner to come All have been doing good work recently, Paladin especially pleasing the Biccarton course watchers. Goldspur is a very slippery customer off the mark, and he will be on his wav to the winning post before some of the slower ones get going Jabber is not always a good beginner, but once fairly moving he is very smart. St Denis has only a light weight compared with what he has recently been winning under, and I fancy him very much, Mr Stead’s colt should be suited by the distance, and he has a weight that he is easily master of. Prosser has Boreas and Ostiak left in. The Sou-wester gelding is a clinker over threequarters of a mile, and perhaps he may be chosen in preference to Ostiak, who may go for the Riccarton Welter. My choice lies with St Denis oh Goldspur, while I fully expect to see Paladin, Formosan, and Prosser’s representative make a slashing race. The Welcome Stakes will attract a nice lot of highly-bred youngsters, and in all likelihood the race will fall to Stead’s Chosen ob Indian Queen. The Spring Hurdle'Race ought to furnish a good contest. Cavaliero has plenty of weight with 12st 111 b, but there are a good many people who believe that he is quite as good over the sticks as Record Reign. If he is, then he ought to win for he has a pound less than the Castor gelding carried to victory in the Grand National Hurdle Race. Torpina and Ilex have both won recently, and should run well. Roller is a beautiful jumper, but he has not done much lately over bundles, and I do not tiink he will be dangerous. 1 shall place the race thus : Cavaliero 1 Ilex ... 2 Tobpina ... ... ... 3 A big field may be expected to go to the post for the Riccarton Welter. Should Ostiak be sent for this race, I would have him on my side. Cora Linn, Spider, Proposal, Suzannah and Garmoran are among those horses that have done good work on the course during the past fortnight. The acceptances are not due till after the Review has gone to press, so it is rather blind picking. With a run I fancy Ostiak ... ... ... ... 1 Coba Linn 2 Gabmoban 3

The Derby will be run on Monday. Renown will represent the Hon J. D. Ormond, who has never yet secured the blue ribbon of the 0.J.0. This year he has an excellent chance of victory, for the Dreadnought colt’s victories in the Wanganui and Hawke’s Bay Guineas proclaim the fact that he is in excellent trim. Dan O’Brien’s colt, Military, has been Malatua’s companion in most of the latter’s work, and the three-year-old has plainly demonstrated, that he is a pretty good sort Perhaps he may be able to lower the colours of Renown. Should Malatua win the Cup on Saturday, Military’s chance on Monday would look better. Formosan’s throat ailment may considerably interfere with him over a mile and a-half. He is probably in much better trim than when he last met Renown, still, though much improvement may be expected, I do not expect to tee him victorious. Pampero would hardly seem class enough under Derby weights, though he showed a bit of pace in the mile race he won at Dunedin when carrying a light impost. Assayer has his wins in hack company to recommend him, and perhaps he may not start. I.fancy the result will be Renown 1 Military 2 Formosan 3 [By Oub Canterbury Correspondent], Present appearances indicate that the New Zealand Cup is going to furnish an interesting race. lam writing on the eve of the final payments, but if anything goes out it will be Materoa. Personally I consider this mare has an excellent chance of winning, but it is likely that her trainer will reserve' her for races under two miles. When the weights appeared I expressed a great liking for Malatua, and I must say that I do not feel inclined to alter myopinion. Latterly Malatua has not done so well as his owner could have wished, but during the past week the horse has come on fast, and will strip almost as well as he did last year. ; Tortulla has been executing some sterling gallops since her arrival, and if the top-weight is beaten I think Torpedo’s daughter is the most likely one to do it. Fulmen has been galloping well since his arrival, and has on two previous occasions been over ths Cup j urney. However, he does not strike me as likely to win. Miss Delaval will have a host of supporters, and, as far as condition goes, she will bo hard to boat. Dundas is also in capital fettle, but remembering some of his past perl ormances when he failed to try at the critical period of a race, I must .past him by. Ideal did not gallop as freely as usual on Monday morning. Ido not favour her chance much. With regard to Skobeleff very little is known, but from a private source 1 learn that the eon of Stepniak is very well, and likely to run forward. I think he will beat Strathnairn and Huku, and Materoa if she starts. I expect to see the numbers go up as follows:— Malatua 1 Tobtulla 2 Skobeleff 3 Huku 4

Owing to the wires being interrupted I am compelled to be brief, so I shall content myself with making the following selections for the other events Spring Hurdles: Cavaliero 1, Tobpina 2, Bolder 3; Riccarton Welter: Tsabita 1, Sentby 2, Gabmoban 3; Welcome Stakes: Stead’s Selected (probably Menschikoff ‘ 1); Stewards’ Stakes: Formosan 1, Paladin 2, Gold Spur 3; Ladies’ Purse: Cameo 1, Habia 2. On Monday Renown should beat all opposition in the Derby. V.A TC SPRINGMEETING [By Petbonbd. - , With the New Zealand Cup Meeting in full swing we still will have a little time to devote to Australian raoing. The Victorian Racing Club’s Spring Carnival commences on Saturday, ■when the Derby and Melbourne Stakes will attract considerable attention. For the third-year-old claim race Malster holds the pride of place in the betting. It is expected that Mr Orr’s colt will strip a far better horse than he did. at Caulfield, and his supporters expect that he will turn the tables on Kinghke. From all accounts it would, seem that the latter had a good deal taken out of him by his encounter with Seahorse in the Eclipse Stakes. The Nelson, colt undoubtedly made the Wallace gelding put his best foot foremost, and the latter’ -- subsequent racing was so palpably below correct form that there may be something in the idea that Seahorse’ knocked him out, Kinglike’s running in the Caulfield Cup plainly showed that he was out of all form, and as it may take him some little time to recover, I don’t think he will win the Derby. There are some dark horses in the field, but I shall pin my faith to MALSTER. The Melbourne Cup aooeptance of twentynine is large enough. The striking feature is that a goodly number of the top weight division remains in I have an immense liking for La Carabine and Merriwee, whose work has been of the best description. Severity and Lancaster have also done excellent track work, and the last-named is now a strong favourite. New Zealanders would rejoice should the Hotchkiss colt triumph. He has a handy weight in 7st 101 b. La Carabine is declared to be better than she ever was, and though she has a big weight in 9st 71b to carry, she is such a proved stayer that her chance must be held in high respect. Merriwee, with 9st 51b. has a big task set him. He has done all that has been asked by his trainer, who has left Clean Sweep in probably to make the running for the black. Severity’s track form has been excellent, and the Trenchant gelding is coupled with Merriwee for the position of second favourite, War God is another horse that has shewn good form, and he has been well supported. George Frederick, with Bst 101 b, is reckoned to possess a chance, but he will have to improve a lot on previous efforts to be returned the winner-. Mora, Bst 81b, is said to be a

-genuine stayer. Kinsflike, Ido not think, will nave recovered sufficiently, but should Malster win the Derby, he will have to be considered. Amongst the light-weights those possessing some attraction are Horace and Barbarossa. Da Carabine, Merriwee, Severity, War God, Lancaster, Nora, and Malster, are a lot from which I fancy the winner will come, and I shall select as place getters:— La Carabine .. .. .. 1 Severity .. .. 2 Lancaster .. .. ... .. 3 Mebriwee .. .. .. .. 4