THE TURF.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1527, 24 August 1912, Page 13

THE TURF.

[By Glencoe.]

NEW ZEALAND CUP. WEIGHTS REVIEWED. During tlio week handicaps were declared for tlio New Zealand Gun, to bo run in November. Tho wisdom ot declaring the weights so early, now that ante-post betting is supposed to be abolished, is doubtful, but so far tile C.J.C. has not seen lit to alter it. This year the appearance of the weights has not excited much interest. Neither is it likely that it will do so until tho day approaches. Unless thero is an early market on an event thero is no interest, and, with such occurrences as took placo at Riccarton recently, there is not likely to 1m a demand for a market on "futures" just yet awhile, or at least until Tlio liover incident is satisfactorily cleared up. Generally speakiug, backers will too ' content to ivnit until tho eleventh hour, or, indeed, until they get on the course, before tho task of searching for tho prob(iblo winner is concerned. But to return to tho handicaps. With Vico-Admiral in the race, and Los Angelos missing, thero was no doublj as to which horse would bo top weight. In awarding the bay son of Multiform 9st. .lib. (or 4lb. below weight for age), the handicapper has dealt fairly with Mr. G. D. Greenwood's horse, and it will como as no surprise to find him, if ho keeps on right in his training, starting favourite on the day. His form last November was distinctly very, good, and be will only have to race up to it to be in the finish of the Cup. Mr. Henrys has the usual pound between Counterfeit and Bronze, and in the little betting that has been done, has a.ll been for tho Highden mare. She is more likely to seo the post than is her rival, as . Sir George Clifford generally prefers ,to race his'horses in woight-for-age events! Miscount (Bst. 31b.) does not 6eem to ha.ve any the best of it compared with Masterpiece, 7st. 131b. The latter beat' the Karamu colt in the'C.J.C. Derby, so that, in being allowed 41b., he would seem to bo , fortunate. Miscount has a very doubtful looking front joint, and is not likely to train ftn. , Lady Lucy (Bst. lib.) has been off the J sccna for a long time, but she is. in work at Fordell, and, if she stands, may be relied upon to go to the post. If she could win a race before the Cap meeting opens , sho would Como into prominence, but she is not likely to do this, as there are no races of a long enough distance for her. Domino is in work on his owner's private track, and is doing well. He will i be a runner at Avondale next month, so . that an idea will then bo gained as to his : condition. In the last contest the Freedom horse did not seem to relish the dis- | tance, and the same 1 thing may trouble , him again. j Tho _ two "resurrections"—Taskmaster i and Birkdale—are both in work, but ac- , count's credit.tlicm with a tendency to go , out at any time. Midnight Sun (Bst.) has gone oil a trip , to Sydney, and may come back all the , better for the racing which he will get , over there. He has shown a partiality j for a distance of ground, and should bo . the best of Mr. E. J. Watt's trio. I Goldfinder has grown sour of racing, , but were he to get. back, to his form of two years ago ho would bo a much-respect- j ed candidate. . Bandeira does not impress as a likely horse to get two miles successfully, nci-' ther does Peirene, but Tho Rover is cap- , able of going a journey with the best i handicap horses in tho Dominion. Of tho remainder of the seven-stone Mi J j vision Mangaroa, Prince Soult, and Tann- ' liauser appear nicely placed. The tail is very long, no fewer than thirty-two horses being weighted under seven-stone. This is more than half the • field which seems to indicate that the class engaged is not very high. i ■ ij NOTES AND COMMENTS. In connection with the Dannevirke Rac-ing-Club's Steeplechase meeting, to 'be ! held on September 11, owners aro reminded that nominations for all events, except the Trial Stakes, close at 9. p.m. on Monday next. The programme includes two cross-country events and a hurdle race. . .A. Oliver Jeft for Sydney yesterday to rido Mr. Highdon's horses in their engagements at the Australian Jockey 'Club's spring meeting. As tho result of his accident at Christchurch, Oliver is still carrying sticks to aid his .walking. Tho programme for tho Wanganui Jockey Club's spring meeting is ono that will appeal to owners, and tho club is suro. to receive large ontrics for the various events on Monday next. Liberal prize money , attaches to all. the races. On Tuesday next tho stewards of the Canterbury Jockoy Club will give further : consideration to the late scratching of The Rover for the Grand National Hurdles. Mr. Geo. Morse has been appointed handicapper to the Rangitikei Racing Club. Bellah (Royal Fusilier—Lissadurn), who showed good form at some of the South Island meetings in the autumn, was on Thursday last supported to win the New Zealand Cup. Ho has been weighted at fet. 91b. Lady Officer (The Officer—Lady Isobel) and Belle Ami (Conquoror—Lady Isobel) havo arrived at Bushy Park, and are both to be mated with Signor. Lady Lucy, who won the New Zealand Cup two years ago, will be given a special preparation for this year's event. Mr. J. Hennah, owner of Captain Jingle, leaves for Hastings this morning, but will return to Wellington in a few days. E. M'Grath, formerly stud groom for Mr. G. M. Currie, has leased Bronze's half-brother Harrow, who will do stud duty in the Mastertpn district. ■ The ' two Bezonian youngsters in R. Knox's stable are both reported to be showing promise. Advice from Bushy Park states that the yearlings wintered splendidly, and aro all doing well. Rutter, Don Quex, and other Auckland horses will be racing at tho Warwick Farm meeting in Sydney this afternoon. Kildonan, Midnight Sun, Theodore, and Royal Scotch, who are to carry Mr. E. J. Watt's colours at the Sydney and Melbourne spring meetings, were shipped to Sydney yesterday afternoon in charge of T. Quinlivan, junior. Royal Scotch, as previously mentioned, is a strong favourite for the Gnulfield Cup. FIXTURES. .September —Marton J.C. Spring. September 11—Dannevirko K.C. Steeplechase. September 12 and 13—Ashburton Countv R.C. September 23 and 24—Otaki Maori R.C. Spring. ■