SPORTING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3776, 31 October 1907, Page 3

SPORTING.

The Cup and Stewards— Saturday Next. By Probable. At the time of writing final payments have not been made, but it is safe to say that the Cup and Stewards’ acceptances will be fairly large, and provide interesting contests. To select the winners outright is an open question, so evenly has the handicapper adjusted his weights. However, a review and criticism ot such may help sports to pick on the double. THE CUP. , To commence with, Maniapoto (9.0) is rightly in pride of position, though I am of opinion that, owing to the fact that he has had a fair season at the stud and also suffered a course of influenza since his return to New Zealand, his chance of success may be dispensed with. Master Delavel (8.9), Paritutu, Zimmerman, Armistice (8.3), and Grand Slam (7-.11), can all be reckoned on to stay the distance, while the same remark can apply to Gazely (7. to). Mahuta (7-11) is a brilliant performer, and his track work of late will convince many that McGrath has used much judgment in giving the Mahaki colt a well-timed and sound preparation. Mahuta has often shown much fleetness of foot in his races, and his track work would suggest that McManaway’s representative will stay. Buccleugh (7.9) has done almost everything asked of him yet, and maj' gallop a solid two miles, but I will not have St. Joe or Apa as winners on the 7.8 mark, although the latter is reckoned a moral by his connections, so rumour says. If Elevation (7.6) were himself, I would not look any further for the winner, but the probabilities are, he will not go to the post, and even if he does, it would be wise to dismiss his chance as a winner, for his trainer has experienced much trouble with the chestnut lately, owing to faulty heels. Neither Seaman nor Waitapu will go to the post, while I do not consider the chances of Eapland, Astrakhan, Saga, or Outlander, worth counting upon. Probable on the 7.0 mark is always worth respect, as he gave great promise as a two-year-old, and always runs as game as the best of them. But Tilley has one in called Frisco on the 7.2 mark, and if Arthur Olliver should be selected to ride this bay in preference to Apa, I will have Frisco to be the hardest horse to beat at the weights. Frisco has always been galloping strong at the end of his races, and the resolute manner in which he won a mile race at Wanganui recently, convinces me that he will stay, and, despite the fact that his owner is supposed to prefer Apa’s chance, I will have Frisco to finish in front of Apa at the weights and distance, especially if Olliver (who seems to charm his charges) has the seat on the lightlyweighted one. Still, to pick the Gup in one I will name MAHUTA

with Frisco, Master Delavel and Apa, to fill the places in that order, Gazely or Probable may bring off a surprise, while Paritutu, Bucdeuch, and Zimmerman should be close up. THE STEWARDS.

Munjeet heads the list with 9.3, and if well on the day will be hard to beat. King Billy, Full Rate, Dord Soult, and Gold Crest, are all in at 8.3, though on his running at Masterton last week, Full Rate canrtot have a chance. Both King Billy and Gold Crest must be reckoned with, though I cannot go past Dord Soult, if he is sound on the day. He runs some peculiar races, does this nag, but Billy Young’s style of riding should be to his liking, and if the cripple is himself on Saturday he will still further evidence to the sporting fraternity the surprises of the game by annexing the big Stewards for his Foxton connections. I think he will pay anything from £9 upwards should he win. Fireiron (8.2) is considered a good thing by shrewd judges in the South, while Dupulite (7.8) has done all asked of him yet, and his connections will not hear of his defeat. Ormond has three left in, but the best may prove to be Kairoma (7,5), who can gallop fast. Guidwife is nicely weighted at 6.12, also Martello jrst odd with penalties, though the latter may not take kindly to the Riccartou track on the day. Rose Noble (7.3) Waihuka (6,ig), and Contender (7.10), are quiet tips, while Stead’s Huascar (7.11) is well spoken of. .Cross Battery (8.1), Ballarat and Helen Portland (7.10) would have to be considered ot themselves, but I am going to vote strongly for the most consistent performer in the race — Idealist, who has only 8.0 to carry, and who can be relied on to fight out every inch of the journey. This cast-off of Hon. Ormond’s has four successive victories to his credit, including the Winter Cup, and the big events at Ashburton, Tiraaru, and Dunedin meetings, and I don’t think the Stewards is beyond him. There are others in the race, but 1 won’t dwell on their chances. If Dord Soult would whisper to me personally .that he was out for the Stake on Saturdaj' next, I would have nothing but him as the ultimate winner, but in the absence of such reliable information, I cannot get away from

IDEALIST, with Lupulite or Munjeet to fill the places, and Martello, Fireiron, and Huascar to take prominent parts in the race. I would hot advise those partial to J. Symons’ ppnv to go off him, as, if he runs a true race he will win. Still, I hold the opinion that Idealist is solid and

can be relied upon. His performances to date are full of merit, and I will look to him to be the hardest to beat in the Stewards. Stead’s Armlet should win the Welcome Stakes on Saturday, while Dawn will win anything he starts in on the first day. He should also be hard to beat in the Derby on Monday, though Bouuy Gleu, who has been smashing all previous track records, will play a nrominent part in the decision of the blue riband. Glencullock and Gold Crest are also starters, but I expect to see Dawn defeat the bunch, with Bonny Glen to fill second place. Asteroid should pick up a hurdle race or two at Riccarton, Punters had a particularly bad time at Masterton, the Wellington books reporting the best day for years. W. Galbraith, who trains Anga Moana, the big div. payer at Opaki, did not participate in the tote proceeds, as he did not think the nag forward enough to win. Glorious uncertainty again ! McGrath’s team were hardly forward enough at Opaki, but the racing there should improve them, and they should annex, a few stakes at Taratahi. Dady Disdain was the only Foxton representative to gain a div. at Masterton—a second-place one, £i 7s. She is a good honest mare, and always runs prominently, Toney Messena was convinced after Waitapu’s poor display at Masterton, that he had no chance in the New Zealand Cup, and brought him home. He is an in-and.out customer, is Waitapu, and were his connections punters, they would soon go “ broke.” Arthur Symons had bad luck with Notorious, as the nag went wrong at Masterton, and could not be started at the meeting. It may be some time before the chestnut can face the barrier.

Full Rate can have no chance in the Stewards on Saturday, on his running at Masterton. Russlej r Maid, who paid £29 odd in a hack race at Masterton, is a good sort owned by J. Macara, who had a few pounds invested on the daughter of Russley Belle. Mataari is very well just now, and ma} 7 win again at Carterton next week. The “heads” did their money over no less than six favourites which were defeated at Masterton second day, viz., Te Kanui, Volodia, Gaelic, Full Rate, Strathcona, and Belario.

Results of Cup meeting will appear in our issue each day, while late results will be posted outside our office each evening of the races.