SPORTING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3776, 8 October 1907, Page 3

SPORTING.

N.Z. Cup and Stewards. By Probable, Racing at Hastings last week was decidedly interesting, in that several new Cup candidates faced the barrier on different occasions, and threw much light on their chances in the big Riccartou -/ event. Foremost among the [ bunch was Elevation, who completely ran away from his field at the end of the King Edward Handicap (one mile and a furlong), in a fashion which convinces me that the three-year-old chestnut will stay the two miles and gallop very fast with his light impost (jst 61b), including penalty. Under a welter scale of weights it was not surprising to see a big colt like Gold Crest defeat him by a head in the Guineas second day, especially when we consider the mile was traversed in a little over imin 4isec, and there was only a head between them at the finish. This Guineas was a great race throughout, Elevation maintaining a straight lead from Gold Crest till half a furlong from the post. The best performance of the race was put up by Bobrikoff, who finished a good third, after leaving the barrier last, a few lengths in the rear. To sum up N.Z. Cup so far as I have seen up to date, I will give my vote to Elevation, with Frisco (should he go to the post) next best. It is said Tilley prefers Apa’s chance to Frisco, but with what I have seen of the latter, I should pick him to be a great stayer, and at the weight, would have him to beat the much-fancied stable mate, Apa. Maniopoto may be well enough on the day, whilst Master Delaval is sure to be about the scene of action when the judge hoists the place-getters. Downfall is improving each gallop, but I will not have Paritutu, who has alwa5 r s been a much over-rated animal. Seal Rock is said to have no chance, though Southerners talk a little of the capability of Buccleugh landing the stake. On her two essays this present season, Armistice cannot be given a winning chance, but on the day things may change. I will not have Mahuta, with all his pace, to finish jhe two miles out with others I nave mentioned in the yst division, and, all being well on the day, I will give a straight out vote for Elevation and Frisco, both of whom bear signs of good prepara-

.- N tion. To place the N.Z. Cup horses as they may finish, I should say: —

Elevation 1, Frisco 2, Master De Laval or Maniopoto 3, and Grand Slam and Apa close handy.

Mr J. E. Henry’s has framed the Steward’s Handicap on a light scale—a fact which may bring a large acceptance, though the scale of weights is not altogether relished by owners as they will have difficulty in securing good horesmen at the weights. Munjeet is rightly in pride of position with gst 3lb, whilst amongst the Bst 31b division, Lord Soult would be returned the winner if he could repeat his performance at Feilding last November, when he ran something over 1.13. Gold Crest on the same mark will be hard to beat, while Fire Iron (Bst alb), Idealist (Bst), Huascar (jst nib), Supulite (yst 7lh), Flimsnap (6st 131 b), and Toatupi (6st 131 b), strike me as likely tq have winning chances. The blot of the handicap appears to me to be All Red Cyst lolb) being asked to concede Bobrikoff (6st 131 b) such a lot of weight. The latter proved himself to be one of the best of the year in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas, and at a difference of only 51b from All Red. All Red is a much over-rated animal, and his performances cannot rank alongside Bobrikoff, and why the latter should receive nib, the best of the weights from Prosser’s charge, it is hard to say. Possibly, a reputation yet unearned. To try and pick the winner before the acceptances is hard, but those who have watched Bobrikoff’s form of late will agree that he has been “ thrown in,” while Lord Soult, Gold Crest, Huascar, and Fire Iron, appear next best. Stead’s Huascar has been given to me as a moral, but he will need to be at lus best to defeat either of the qthers I have mentioned, notably, Bobrikoff, who is a particularly good one. To pick the winner in three, I will name: Bobrikoff, Gold Crest, and Huascar.

Percy Johnston now owns Te Uira, and all were pleased to see him land a stake with the chestnut last week. They thought it was a pie second day again, but i2st odd stopped him. Te Kainui was lucky to win, as Te Rahul hit the last fence very hard when well in the lead. This latter nag should win when they put in their dough again.

The Maiden at Hastings was a great race between Dawn and Sir Frisco. The former finished full of running in a style which bespoke great things for Ormond’s colt in the near future. Sir Frisco Vhould win first start, probably at - A Fred Tilley had a turn of luck in the big Hurdles each day, as Asteroid simply bolted in each start. She was ridden with great judgment by Archie McConnon. She will not start at Napier. I hear this mare goes to Sylvia Park shortly. She should be “ good goods” in the hurdle events at Riecarton at Cup time, should Tilley take her across the straits. Stuart Waddell has a good one in his charge, named North Head. Still, there are others he could dispose of with profit. I noticed a nag at Wanganui named Flying Wind, show a lot of pace* If it starts in the Otaki

Maiden go for it, as it should win.

Playmate should win at Otaki to-morrow, while Paratuhi maj 7 annex a Welter the second day, in which a poor class of horses are engaged. Local owners should win a stake or two at Otaki.

Paritutu got a bad run at Hastings first day, which settled all his chances ; but on the second day Billy Young took him to the front, a position he maintained till well in the straight, and was only beaten for seCond place on the post. Gravitation, stablemate of Elevation, is worth watching. He downed a gocd one in E. J. Watts’ Aborigine, also Moore’s Guiding Step, which the “heads” made money over.

Second day Aborigine, who can gallop fast “as you can clap your hands,” got away nicely, and gave nothing else a chance. Still, it would be a good policy to follow Donnelly’s Kautuku to Napier or elsewhere.

Musketry has improved out of all knowledge since Bulls meeting, and romped home in the open six furlongs each day at Hastings. Ormond has a two-year old, named Diamond Star, which takes the eye as a speedy colt. When he is ready this bay colt should make a name for himself.

Douglas’ Mecca bolted prior to the Handicap second day, at Hastings, after covering two circuits of the course, it swerved quickly and attempted to rush into the saddling paddock. The swerve caused the rider, Erickson, to be unseated (luckily without injury); the nag slipped, and broke its shoulder. It was removed to the saddling paddock and destroyed. Push Jul basked right into the second hurdle at Hastings on Thursday, but Billy Young escaped unhurt in the fall. Arthur Lord has persevered long with Whakawehi, and a win was not out of turn for his popular owner, Mr W. Murray, who is a spdrt pure and simple. With 6st 131 b on his back, the son of Daunt romped home a winner in the Spring Handicap at Hastings, and paid the decent price of £9 13s. Follow the machine favourites at Otaki and you will win the settling. Jenkins only had two rides at Hastings, one on the winner of the Guineas. I understand he got out of his recent trouble with racing clubs.