WELLINGTON RACES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5263, 5 February 1878, Page 3

WELLINGTON RACES.

(from -a correspondent.) The coming races in every manner promise to be among the most successful ever held in Wellington, should the weather only prove fine and the rain not pour with the same merciless persistency as, it did last year. The acceptances are not .so numerous a ; I expected, particularly these for the Cup, which, with 49 nominations, promised to be the largest field ever run in New Zealand. I see by the acceptances eleven only have.paid up, out of which number I expect but eight will face the starter, among whom are some of Ihe best handicap horses in New Zealand. I anxiously hope to see a close finish for the Wellington Cup of 1878/ The betting is at' present rather in favor of- the Canterbury cracks. As to backing, I would say that the field is a good horse, and will take a lot of going to beat. : Commencing with 1 ! the top weight, Ariel, who-. has. proved himself the best horse in New Zealand, weight for, age, by winning the Canterbury Cup, beating that grand three-year-old Trump Card; who has now to concede - lOlbs. ■to him, I can scarcely imagine; that- he has' improved ,that much on his Derby form. Rumor says that Ariel is not likely to start. The next on the list is the favorite Danebury, who with'Blb. under his .weight for age' is 1 treated- rather leniently by the handicappers, he, having always proved himself a first-class' horse over any distance. ,1 do not know how Trump Card will manage, having to give him about 2011)3., after their running in the Christchurch Plate, Danebury then being not quite up to the mark, after his racing at the smaller meetings. South, his trainei, having eased him off somewhat,! fully expect him to°wiu this race. The next horse in the betting is Trump Card, with 7st 131 b., the only ■ horse in the race carrying over his weight for age Good colt as he is, I cannot understand how he is to give such weights to 4yrs., syrs., and aged horses as he is handicapped to do. His condition is said to be good, and he is reported to have done, some wonderful trials. I do not think he will secure a win for Mr. Fraser’s stables, but I fully expect to see him placed. Songster, the winner of the Canterbury Derby last year, if up to his last year’s form will take a lot of beating. Nectar, another of the same stable, with 7st. 91b., looks well on paper, and should take a good position in the event. The Maori horse, Otup ii, the Napier candidate, when sold last year fetched a high price, which should stamp him as something good, if price has anything to do with it. I fancy, however, he will find the company rather too gaod for him. Lara comes next, with his penalty of ,51b., bringing his weight to 7st. 71b., which ought to suit a fivp-year-old. This horse won the Auckland Cup with the same weight, and the Racing Club Handicap with Bst. 101 b., but' was disqualified for the latter event on account of a cross, which many at ate never occurred. No w, with 30lb. under his weight for age, I do not think he can be despised; and if the pot is upset it will be Lara that will do it, as he is the best of the outsiders in the race. Lady of the Lake, with 7»t, should shew up. I fancy she is the representative that will carry the amber and brown. Ouida, a 5-year-old, thrown in with 7st, I believe to be a good little mare ; but I fear she will find the company too warm. Standard Bearer (late Parthenopoeua), with fist 111 b,, should lead them a dance for the first mile ; but I doubt his ability to stay the Cup distance. The last, but not least, is Glenavy with fist 71b., 421hs. under her weight-for-age. Glenavy is the only horse from vVanganui, and looks dangerous on paper, she being a well brad one by. Traducer, dam Sweetmeat, and a really fine-looking animal, and is known to be fast, as her time last year ; proves, in running with old Guy and Fallacy in the Flying Handicap. With her light impost she should prove a hard nut to crack, especially as she is now in good form. I will give some final “ tips ” on Thursday morning.