Anticipations.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 741, 19 May 1904, Page 7

Anticipations.

TAKAPUNA J.C-

COMMENCES NEXT SATURDAY. (SELECTIONS BY “ THE JUDGE.”) The Takapuna Jockey Club will make a commencement with the Winter Meeting on Saturday next, when it is anticipated that another highly successful gatheringwill have to be recorded. Of course at a race meeting held at this time of the year a good deal of uncertainty exists as to the kind of weather which may be in evidence on the eventful day, but if the Clerk of the Meteorological Department proves in a kindly frame of mind then it may be safely assumed that there will be a large concourse of spectators present at the pretty seaside course when the bel I rings for operations to be commenced. The course is in splendid order at present, everything looking beautifully fresh and green. Mr Robert Wynyard, the secretary, may be safely relied upon to have all his arrangements for the comfort of visitors on up-to-date lines, so that intending patrons need have no fear on that score, while the Ferry Company will as usual place a number of extra steamers on the route, and these should be amply sufficient to cope with the expected rush. A g-lance through the list of acceptances with a view to sifting out a few with likely chances may be of interest. Proceedings will be commenced with the Maiden Hurdles, one mile and a-half and a hundred yards. In this there are ten down to compete, with the uncertain Vai Rosa at the head of affairs. Of course he ought to win, but he is such a pig that it would be safer to look elsewhere, and possibly of the others the best mav prove TUNI ST. ROWAN REVEALER Jhe Maiden Plate, seven furlongs, comes next on the list, for which thirteen horses have been left in. Although naturally class is not represented, yet this looks like giving- rise to a splendid race, and the winner will take some finding. The three who may possibly catch the judge’s eye are LEO DELAVAL CALLE IRIS BONOMIANA

A fine field of fourteen are listed to compete in the First Pony Handicap, five furlongs, and in the absence of the cracks Inspiration heads the list. On Avondale form she ought to very nearly win, but I prefer them as follows : — GIRTON GIRL INSPIRATION LADY LOTTIE . The next event is the big race of the day, the Empire Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, which has drawn thirteen acceptances. Geordie heads the list, but has not shown his true form for some time, Durable should run well, while Putty at his best would take, some beating. Dolores is very uncertain, but has done well on this course before now. To my mind Avalanche is the pick of the handicap, for at Avondale with but two pounds less she fairly lost the field, and on that day would have won by just as far even over the extra two furlongs. On that form she ought to hold Scotty safe, as they meet on exactly the same terms, although the Soult mare beat Mr Stewart’s gelding by nearly ten lengths. Newtown and Idasa may both run well, but the places may go to AVALANCHE DURABLE DOLORES Eight are down to play their parts in the First Hurdles, two miles, and it is somewhat doubtful which will start. In the probable absence of Spalpeen, Ake Ake and Vai Rosa, I will take the placegetters to be PRINCESS OF THULE HIPPOWAI TAHAE The Maiden Steeplechase, two miles and a-half, follows, and for this there are eleven acceptors. The event looks very open, but all going well places may fall to PAPATU MOCASSIN LADY BELL The first day’s programme will be brought to a close with the Royal Handicap, five furlongs, for which no less than nineteen have accepted. As the race starts on a bend Mr Hankens will have his work cut out to get such a field away on anything like even terms. With anything like a bit of luck at the start it may be that the finish will be fought out by AUSTERLITZ BOTHER SONOMA with Geologist close handy.