SPORTING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8217, 22 August 1906, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING.

RANGITIKEI NOMINATIONS

Nominations for all events at the Raugitikei Racing Club's Spring Meeting to be run on September 19th and 20th next, close with the secretary, Mr H. A. Goodall, Bulls, at 9 p.m. on Saturday next.

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

(By Zetland)

The New Zealand Cup weights, which appeared on Monday, were well up to time, Mr Henrys sending the*n out just after the conclusion of tho Grand Ndtijnal meeting. It is the general opinion that the field for the hig race this yesr will be somewhat weaker than usual. The handicapper evidently shares in this belief as he bas started on a much lower scale than would have been the case if a number of high class horses had been entered. Mahatonga heads the list with 9st. Had this horse got through the proposed Australian campaign successfully this weight would not have troubled him very much as he proved a deoidedly good weight-car-rier as well as a stayer of no mean order. His breakdown at Flemington a few days ago may be a serious one, so the top weight's chance need not be written about at length just now. Next comes Maniapoto with Bst 131b. It will probably depend upon how be races in Australia at the September meetings whether tbe Soult horse is brought back to compete in the event under notice. Boomerang, Bst 131b, has been the ruling favourite right through, and if he goes along well in bis. work will be well backed light up to the time of starting. His best performances last season were in the Cup with 7st 21b and the Canterbury Jookey Club's Autumn Handicap with Bat 21b. He will have to meet several good performers on worse terms in tbe New Zealand Cup, and cannot, therefore, be said to have anything like the best of tbe weights. Paritutu, Bst 51b, was the runner-up in last year's race to Nootuiform, and is certainly well treated. Should he be landed at the post in November thoroughly fit he will take a power of beating. Solution, Bst, is nicely in, but has yet to prove that she can Rallop two miles at a sound pace. Auratus, 7st 131b, has come strongly into the betting market recently. His only win last season was in tbe Manawatu Cup, of \% mile, with 7st 71b, and taking that as a guide this son of Gold Reef does not read too well. Then comes Lyrist at the same weight. This son of Tbe Officer] came into prominence last season, and scored five wins and four seconds. He is looked upon as a stayer, and may on that account be worth following. Lethwrin, 7st 131b, ran some exceptionally good races this year, and his win in the Wellington Racing Club Handicap in January was full of merit. He has been well wintered, and as he will be specially prepared for the big Cup is sure to be loyally supported by Wairarapa sportsmen. Should the Lethe gelding be landed at the post fit and well there is every reason to expect that he will acquit himself very creditably. Next comes a horse of quality, Multifld, by the great Multiform— Heriot. Last season he won the flying Handicaps at Wanganui and Feilding, thus proving his sprinting ability, and the Great Northern Derby, of 1% mile, with Bst 101b, showing staying power. 1 take this /horse to be leniently handicapped, and now that D. O'Brien has decided not to send him to Australia he is sure to be very spiritedly supported for the Riccarton event. Gladntone, the full brother to Gladsome, at 7st 101b, is not harshly treated, and should give a good account of himself. The next two on the list, Convoy and Ghoorlca, are both under suspioiou of being more or lesa unsound, and may, therefore, not stand a thorough preparation. Savoury is in Australia, aud may not be brought back for New Zealand racing. Weibeck broke down at the National meeting last week, while Bulawayo also pulled up lame, btarshoot, 7st 61b, is in his right plaoe, and Armistice may run well forward with 7st 51b. On form Martello, 7st 41b, and Zimmerman, 7st 41b, should not have been asked to give weight to Makaroff, 7st 21b. who scored in uo less than nine events last season, while Wirral, 7st 21 b„ would have got in with thG minimum assessment but for winning the Trial Stakes at Trentham in July. Bourrasque and St. Joe, 7st lib, and Fiamen, 7st, are rightly placed, and of those under 7st Moscow, Submarine, Royal Crown and Stepdauoer appear to be tha best on form. To select hall a dozen that appear to have a good winning chance I would name Paritutu,' Multifld, Gladstone, Letherin, Armistice and Bourrasque.