THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1077, 27 October 1910, Page 5

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

TWENTY-ONE HORSES STILL

ENGAGED. A further payment of 6sovs in connection with the New Zealand Cup fell due on Friday last, and the result is that 21 horses still remain in the big two mile race which comes up for decision at Riccarton on Saturday week. The response from owners must be considered highly satisfactory, and present indications point to a great race for the 2000sovs offered by the C.J.C. The withdrawal of California, is regretted, but his defection did not come as a surprise as it was generally understood that the big horse had broken down last week.

Oiyoi is now at the head of the list, and the fact of the otepniak gelding being such a good stayer has caused him to have many friends. In the North Otago Cup, last week, he was beaten a head by Martist, and critics in the South appear to be unanimous that he is capable of improvement. One thing is certain and that is that the extra distance will suit Oiyoi. Against this it has to be remembered that during the history of the Cup 8.9 is the heaviest weight yet carried to victory, that impost being carried by Tasman (1883), Vanguard (1884) and Lady Zetland (1896). Husbandman, as a dual Derby winner, has been, very disappointing, and if, he is to win the New Zealand Cup he will have to be a very different horse to what he was last season. Next in the list is the much-dis-cussed Diabolo, a horse who has held

the position of favourite almost since the date of nominations. Last season Diabolo raced with bad luck, and his habit' of filling the role of runnerup in several big races must have been annoying to his owner. However, with 8.3 the black horse appears to have all he is entitled to, considering that he has only won a Welter Handicap during his career. He is a good stayer and if able to reproduce the form he displayed when he ran second to Signor in the Canterbury Cup (2% miles) in record time, those who have supported him should get a good run for their money. Besides Husbandman Sir Geo. Clifford has Taskmaster to represent him and this horse will probably be the one relied upon- In all his races the son of Treadmill has run a stayer, and that he did not win the tGrea Northern Derby last year was due to him being unlucky. Reports from the South credit Taskmaster with getting through his work in good style, and if landed at the post at his best on Saturday week we can look to him to be very close to the judge when the leader goes past. Polymorphous is perhaps the most discussed animal in the race. There is not the slightest doubt but that he is extremely well treated, that is, of course, provided he can stay. This is where the doubt rests, and as he cut a poor figure m the Champion Plate at Wellington on Saturday perhaps he will recede in favour. He certainly cannot harden in the betting. Sandstream has earned a 51b penalty and this may not help him. Over a mile and a-quarter he is a really good horse, but the popular opinion appears to be that two miles will find him out.

Bridge is one of the few proved stayers in the race ana his win in the Wainui Handicap at Wellington last week would be pleasant news to those early backers who supported The Possible’s son at a goou price. His race would do him a deal of good and as it is rumoured that H. Gray will have the mount, it goes without saying that Bridge will be one of the short-priced brigade on November 5. Next we have Ingoda, a mare with good performances, and consequently numerous admirers. The daughter of Stepniak won the C.J.C. Oaks and capped this by placing the New Zealand St. Leger to her credit, in the latter event beating the Wanganui Cup winner Milan. Advices from Christchurch show that Ingoda is makingmany friends by the manner in whicn she is getting through her work. Los Angelos has been supported to win a big stake by his party, and though he has not accomplished anything over a distance with the colours up he is undoubtedly one of the best sprinters in the colony. As those connected with the horse are given credit for knowing their business, we can expect to see the chestnut run a good race. In his training gallops over a distance he is doing all that is required of him. Merrivonia is not running up to her best form, and although she was out making the pace for a good part of the journey in last year’s Cup it would be a big surprise if sne were to win. Merriwa is reported to be doing well, but his latest performances do not make him out to have more than an outside Chance. He is considered a thorough stayer and this may be in his favour.

Cullinan, who is a stablemate of Merriwa’s, both being owned by Mr. Lowry, has been carrying all before him in hack company, with some big weights in the saddle- The impression seems to be that the Squire of Okawa will rely upon Merriwa to carry his colours, but it must be remembered that in the New Zealand Cup last year Mr. Lowry had two strings to his bow, with *Bobrikoff and Downfall, and the following month he started both Downfall and Chanteuse in the Auckland Cup. Perhaps both will run on Saturday week. Outlander is a stayer and that is all that can be said for him. Some little time back he was amongst the runners in hurdle races.

Sir Antrim is very consistent in running into a place, but whether he will see out a two mile journey is a question he will have to settle himself.

Kopu has been running well without getting his head in front and as he appears to oe finishing well in his engagements he may be expected to see out the full journey. He is by San Fran, a great stayer in his cay. Martist, a three-year-old, appears to be a fair sort of a gelding. He won the Mosgiel Handicap a fortnight ago, and followed this up with a win in the North O+ago Cup last week, defeating, amongst others, Oiyoi. Marti st is by Martian, and of the lightweights he pro mis is to be the hardest to beat.

Tawhaki figures amongst the list of acceptances, but the son of Menschikoff was withdrawn from the event some time ago. Birkdale represents the Hon. J. D. Ormond, but it does not appear as if the rich prize is to go to the Karamu stable.

Master Laddo, Cronstadt and Lawn Rose have no pretensions to winning a New Zealand Cup, and a win for any of the trio would be as big a surprise as was the case when Star Rose won the event.

The only regrettable feature is that Auckland is unrepresented in the event, but the interest taken by Aucklanders will be none the less on this account.

Although we may expect to see a couple more defections before the field line up at the post, there is material enough for a grand contest, and one, it will be admitted, of the most open in the history of the New Zealand Cup. NEW ZEALAND CUP. Of SOOOsovs; second horse SOOsovs and third horse 200sovs from the stake. Two miles. G. M. Evans’ b g Oiyoi, by Stepniak —Hermosa, 6yrs 8 10 Sir Geo. Clifford’s br h Husbandman, by Treadmill —Golden Vale, syrs 8 3 J. Monk’s blk h Diabolo, by Stepniak —Tortulla, syrs 8 3 Sir Geo. Clifford’s br c Taskmaster, by Treadmill—Madowla, 4yrs 8 1 “Mr. Highden’s’’ br c Polymorphous, by Multiform—Rumour, 4yrs 8 1 G. H. Miller’s b g Sandstream, by San Fran —Ua, 6yrs (including 51b penalty) 8 2 E. J- Watt’s br g Bridge, by The Possible—Scotia, 4yrs 7 10 D. Rutherford’s ch f Ingoda, by Stepniak—Armigera, 4yrs 7 10 R. O’Donnell’s ch g Los Angelos, by San Francisco —La Valiere, 6yrs .. 7 8 J. Ames’ br m Merrivonia, by Merriwee—Livonia, syrs 7 6 T. H. Lowry’s br c Merriwa, by Merriwee—Lady Helen, 4yrs 7 5 T. H. Lowry’s br c Cullinan, by Royal Fusilier—Bijou, 4yrs 7 5 Jno. Grigg’s ch g Outlander, by Finland—Escapade, aged 7 5 W. H. Nicholl’s b h Sir Antrim, by Soult —Lady Antrim, 6yrs 7 2 W. J. Douglas’ ch g Kopu, by San Fran—Maude, syrs 7 1 J. F. Buchanan’s b g Martist, by Martian—Escapade, 4yrs (including 71b penalty) 7 1 Hon. J. D. Ormond’s br c Birkdale, by Birkenhead—Thame, 3yrs 6 11 F. Preston’s oh c Master Laddo, by Sir Laddo—Lake Placid, 3yrs 6 10 M. Kavanagh’s b c Cronstadt, by Stepniak—Madder, 4yrs 6 9 T. Septor’s b m Lawn Rose, by Hall-stone-4 Spring Rose, aged 6 7

No less than 32 of the best sprinters in the Dominion have paid up for t Stewards’ Handicap, and those backers who are attempting to pick the double have a knotty little problem to solve in the six furlongs event. Polymorphous, the top weight, also has an engagement in the Cup, but perhaps he will be missing from both events when the numbers are hoisted. On their running in Wellington, Penates and Boanerges are the prime selections, and they are such a speedy pair that they can be relied upon to make a bold showing. Bliss, Tribulation and Formless are also being accorded strong support. Very little is known as to the condition of l«ci but if the Birkenhead colt were produced in the big sprint event in form he may 'beat all of the heavy-weight division- Countermine ran a very fast six furlongs at Wanganui and another reported to be very speedy is Perle d’Or. As before remarked, the double will take some picking, and those fortunate enough to solve Mr. Henry’s handicaps are well entitled to their success.

THE STEWARDS’ HANDICAP of 1300sovs, six furlongs.—Polymorphus 9.7, Penates 9.7, Maori King 9.7, Boanerges 9.5, Equitas 8.10, Wauchope 8.6, Formby 8..5, Theodore 8.0, Bliss 8.0, Tribulation 8.0, Kohinoor 8.0, Gipsy Belle 7.13, My Lawyer 7.12, Perle d’Or 7.12,

Sea King 7.11, Formless 7.10, War Song 7.7, Tenterhook 7.6, Sunburnt 7.3, Countermine 7.2, Obsono 6.12, Hermia 6.11, All Guns 6..10, Hohungatahi 6.10, Glenspring 6.9, Lady Orizon 6.8, Scotch Plaid 6.8, San Severe 6.7, Fasnakyle 6.7, Ascalon 6.7, Pilgrim’s Way 6.7. FIRST FORFEITS. After the first forfeits the following horses remain in the principal classic races at the meeting:— WELCOME STAKES of lOOOsovs; for two-year-olds; colts 8.5, fillies 8.0; four furlongs.—Peirene, Moorish Maid, Culprit, Bronze, Tannhauser, Gold Bond, Golden Ball, Masterpiece, Terebirth, Rose Red, Orton, b f by Hierarch, Senga, Mohakahmo, Bootle, Mjiscount, Fouqasse, b e by Kilcheran—Arai te Uru, b f by Clenaff—Tauhei. DERBY STAKES of 1350sovs; for three-year-olds; colts 8.10, fillies 8.5; one mile and a-half.—Br c by St. Ambrose— Ekaterini Passeropoulo, Lord Kilcheran, Vice Admiral, Tribulation, Birkdale, Formby, b c by Eton —-Cyrenienne, b c by Eton—Cyrense, br c by Soult— Harpist, Echo, Kilosteri, Fermoy, Madam Madcap, Countermine, King Soult, Danube, Monteleone, Tigerine, Sir Solo. THE OAKS STAKES of 500sovs; for three-year-old fillies, 8.10; one mile and a-half.—Humming Bird, br f by Eton— Cyrense, Mortine, b f by Lord Roslyn— Escopeto, Countermine, Madam Madcap, Aerina, br f by St. Ambrose—Cissy, Kora, Monteleone, Tigenine.