RACING INTELLIGENCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), 22 December 1883, Page 3

RACING INTELLIGENCE.

By "Hippo."

Acceptances for the W.C.R.C. Handicap, Railway Handicap, and Handicap Hurdles, close this evening, when I expect to see all but The Laird, who is engaged elsewhere, accept, as the owners all seem .satisfied ■with the weights allotcd to their horses. I was sorry to see so poor acceptances for the Woodthorpe races, but I did not expect otherwise, there being better inducement elsewhere. Only two horses for the Hurdles, and two for the Handicap, both being in the interest of the same stable.

Escopcta has receded from her position in the betting for the Auckland Cup, and I believe her trainer is not quite so sanguine iiß ho was. The training track there, I lioar, is in such a bad state that he has not been able to give tho filly as much work as ho could wish.

A match is to be run at "Waipiikarau on Monday next between Mr Driscoll's Daybreak and Mr Ellingham's Orphan Boy for £2o a side.

I see that attention has been called to the •weights for the W.C.R.C. meeting, and stating that Doubtful was meeting Loch Lomond on Vllb worse terms than he did at the spring meeting. It might appear so to tho uninitiated, but tho fact is not so. Inetead of 12lb, he will only be meeting him on 71b worso terms; Loch Lomond carried list 71b. Doubtful was handicapped at Out 12lb, but carried olb over, making his weight 10st 3lb. If owners will send their horses out overweight they must expect to pay the penalty. I think it a fair and proper thing to criticise handicaps as long as it is honestly done, as it tends to make handieappers more carefnl, and also gives the public a chance of judging for themselves as to the merits, or otherwise, of the handicaps; but those who criticise should bo careful not to make mistakes, else it will bo put dowii to incompetency or being wilfully done to mislead tho public. Tho weights and acceptances for the Boxing Day meeting have appeared sinco I last wrote. All have cried content except Leonato and Kuiii for the Christmas Handicap, and six entries have been received for tho Maiden Plate, ho that, should the day prove fine, tho jjublio may expect a good day's sport. Iv the Hurdle Race I sec Loch Lomond is meeting Doubtful on only ■Albs better terms than, he did at the .spring meeting' and Pastime is called upon to meet Doubtful on 3lbs worso terms. Doubtful carried lOst 31bs, and Pastime O-st lOlbs, when Doubtful gave him epaito a 41b beating. Now, instead of there being a bigger difference, there is 31bs loss. This is one of thoso things no fellow cun understand. In tho other handicaps nothing looks better on paper than Fredorica and Lubra. Frederica is four years old; she ran second in our last autumn Maiden Plate, won by Leonato, four others being behind her. At tho steeplechaso mooting she won tho Bracelet, tho same distanoo as she is now to travol, beating Littlo Buttercup, Quamby, and ton others, and should she be in the same buckle ns she was then must give a good account of herself, as she has only 7sf to carry. Lubra, also a four year old, being by Tubal Cain—Fortress, with only Gst 31bs, and two miles and a quarter to travel, must bo dangerous, or else she is not worth her salt. She ran second in the Maiden Plate at the last Boxing Day races, won by Yankee, beating Leonato and four others. At the last W.C.R.C. meeting she won the Maiden Plato, beating The Laird. The plough galop is now in very fair order considering the weather wo have been having. This morning Atkens was the first on the ground with his team, and sent Kuni twice round with a hack, the mare finishing strong. Heretaunga and Pungawerewero were then sent two miles together at a good useful pace ; the grey held the mare safe at uny distance. Lconata and Radumes went oneo round together at a fast paoo; after three-quarters of a mile Hadames was in trouble. Yankee joined Lconata in a second round: coining down tho straight the chesnutgave him tho goby and finished a good galop well and strong. Louie and Lubra were both sent by themselves twice round, the second time fast, Louie especially going well. J-'rederica and lona went twice round, tho. weuoiid time together fust. lona has much improved sinco the Potatio nices. Doubtful and. Gundagai went twice round over the hurdles, both jumping well. Pastime was only treated to ejow work.

[BY TELEGRArII.] Auckland, This day. The following acceptances were received last night by the Auckland Racing Club:Hurdles. — Clarence, Hercules, Woodpecker, Harkaway, Barbary. Free Handicap.—Salvage, Tim WhifHer, Fishwonnin, Yubn Bill, Envious, Nelson, Krupp, Musketeer, Escopeta, Soukar, Vortex, Flageolet, A.B.