SPORTING.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1008, 29 September 1903, Page 1

SPORTING.

NEW ZEALAND CUP GOSSIP.

A Christchurch correspondent telegraphs : Southern bookmakers are unanimous in tho opinion that this year’s is the quietest New Zealand Cup on record. Backers are only enquiring for two or three horseß. Lady Lillian was given her first race of the season at Geraldine. She came through tho ordeal well, and she is very forward for this time of the year. In the Geraldine Cup she played with Sirius and Terrapin for a mile. Sirius cut out the pace, but when the little mare ran up to him she quickly settled the question, running home an easy winner. However, the time was slow, and Lady Lillian’s performance had nothing striking about it. On the other hand, siie could not have won with less effort, and with solid work till the day I expect to hear her run out a very merry two miles in November. Sirius does not appeal to me in a Cup connection after his display on the first day. Interviewed on his return from Sydney, Mason stated that Orloff is to be blistered and turned out for 12 months. lam sorry to hear this, as I am looking forward to seeing Orloff measuring strides with Wairiki. During the next week or two opportunities will not be lacking for a careful study of the Auckland crack. In the meantime, however, I must confess to a prejudice against him. He may be all his friends claim for him, but unless the field is to be particularly weak —and this at present seems probable—l cannot quite see him winning the big two-mile race. Bombardo is causing McGuinness some anxiety, tbe trouble being iu one of his knees. At present his chance of getting to the post does not look too bright. We are waiting for the Wanganui meeting to show us how a few more candidates are progressing. After that interest in the race will increase considerably, but at present matters are very dull.