NEW ZEALAND CUP.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 387, 24 July 1889, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND CUP.

Mr Stead's three-year- old colb Scots Grey has been installed favourite in the South for the New Zealand Cup at 100 to 8, and the others most inquired for are Occident, Rscluse, Wakatipu, Dudu, Springston, Sultan, and Wolverine. The handicap has come in for general favour at the hands of the turf scribes, and below I append the opinions that have come under my notice : Sib LAUxoELOT("Refereo").— I consider the handicap an excellent one. Though I have had to find fault with the handicappers about some of its minor details, I approach the task of trying to pick it in ten very diffidently, but I will hazard tho selection that tho winner will be found concealed in the following : — Manton, Dudu, Son of-a-Gun, Hilda, British Lion, Lady Norah. Scots Grey, Lady Florin, Quilt, Wakatipu, and if I thought it likely that Springston and St. Clair would stand I would add their names to make up a dozen. "Canterbury Times." — To sum up, we think the present two-year-olds are again well treated. We do not suppose that either Merrie England or Corunna is within a pound of Carbine at the same age, but looking at the top of the handicap, we are quite sure Manton is several pounds less formidable than Maxim, and, with the Bxperience|of last year, we shall riot be a bit surprised to see the final contest lie between the younger horses. At present we think the following dozen the best handicapped in the race : — Cuirassier, Son-of-a-Gun, Exchange, Merrie England, Corunna, Lorraine, Scots Grey, Engagement, Rose Argent, Cissy, Quilt, and •Wakatipu. Mazeppa ("Otago Witness").— On the whole the handicap is not by any means a bad one — that is, the mistakes are generally but a matter of three or four pounds one way or the other, and many things may happen 'twixt now and the day to induce one to regard with respect horses that at present appear to kaye a bit the worst of it, and vice versa. 1 shall not attempt to pick the winner in a given quantity — that) task may be delayed until we see what are likely to go to Australia and what are training on the best ; but having regard to weights only, I should say that the best treated horses in the Cup are — Dudu, Wolverine, Sultan, Lady Norah, Hilda, Scots Grey, Springston, and Rose Argeut, and ■with Occident and Vandal the next best. Gipsy King (" Wanganui Yeoman").— Recluse, Bst 121b, is a pretty stiff weight for a little horse, and although he is as game as they make them, he must be good if he can win with this weight. Why should he be started off the same mark as Sultan ? whom I take to be the pick of the handicap, and perhaps Mastnead, at 7st 91b, may be coupled with his name. Exchange, at 7st 121b, and Occident, 7st 91b, are really well in, but those who have been trying to get a bit about Recluse, and making him first favourite, will be biting their finger nails now. I had a look at the colt the other day, and he is looking hearty and well, but he will require to grow another inch to carry Bsfc 121b.