AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2308, 26 May 1898, Page 34

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa.

May 23 Acceptances for Grand National Hurdles and Great Northern Steeplechase fell due on Friday, and with 20 remaining in the first-m.-riiioned event and 22 iv the cross-country race tbe Auckland Racing Olub and its handicapper. Mr Mvctt, have every reason to sbaks hands with one another on the result of their dual efforts — the metropolitan body on it-s liberal endowment of the two big events, and Mr Evett on the flattering answer to his adjustments.

Of tbe local candidates for the Hurdles none are doiug better on the track than Levanter, while Nor'-wcst is another that is moving along in fine style. Opai, the West Coaster, is the strong fancy in some quarters, and should give his followers some idea 01 the soundness or otherwise of their confiduac: at Wanganui this week, where he claims an engagement in the Hurdle Race. JMnciny's defection from the .Steeplechase has enhanced Levanter's piospect of victory.

OLher fancied ones -here at this stage are Ihe Tri/.r, The Sinner, and Toroki. St. i'tter, ihe two-year-old brother of St. Paul, recently taken in hand by J. Chaafe, looks quite H s proiiiis ng ua his illustrious brother was at the lilce ;.gt! Admiral Jlavvke (by Nelson) has been receiving his Ihfii Iss&ons in jumping at Mlerslie.

St. fc>:inoi' fcaa not been seen on the training track since he pulled up lame a fortnight since, co it 033 y safely bo said that it is all over with the big chap as far as the June meeting is concerns.'!.

The cross-country horse Voltigeur 11, who figures y the Grand National Steeplechase, has improved considerably since ha has boen in Frank Jl'Manemin's hr.uds.

Another aspirant for the same money who 13 Striding alonj? in good style is The Friar. 'J he little ruare Thelma, purchased by Mr J. G. Booth when he was down at the West Coast a month or so ago, is being schooled over the small Bticks— an indication that she is to be given a chance of making a name for herself at the illegitimate game. So many of the horses figuring in the Grand National Hurdles and the Great Northern Steeples will be runnine at Wanganui that a

great deal of interest centres in the West Coast gathering, and the betting on our two big jumping events is banging fire until the results come to hand from down below.

The present leading quotations for the Elleralle jumping tacei are 20 to 1 agst the two Lovanters, 25 to 1 Nor'-west and Levanter, 25 to 1 Nor'-wesfc and The Sinner, 30 to I Noi'-weit and Toroki, 25 to 1 Opai and Levanter, 30 to 1 Opai and Toroki, 85 to 1 Opai and The Sinner. Wagers of 800 to 20 «ach St. P«ul and Swordfish have been laid lucally for the next New Zealand Cup. St. Legers half brother Leolantis has bsen purchased from Mr L. D. Nathan by Mr F. J. Marshall, of Morriu^ville, and will stand during the coming season at the Waikato. The chestnut filly by St. Legei- from Charante purchased byMr J 'f'l'yin &t Messrs Nathan's last yearling sale, h->.^ <t<ne into Frank ilacSlanemin's establishment

The new race to ne introduced into the Auckland Club's Autnniu programme of 1900 to celebrate the entry upon another century will be appropriately called the Century Stakes. It will be nf lOOOsovs ; one mile and a-quarfcer. Mr J. (). Booth has Levanter iv great buckle, and I urdorstund that the gelding will start in both rhrtXa i->n,<\! Hurdler ami Steeplechase. It was thought last week that S. Fergus, who was open for engagement after St. Simon went amiss, would have the mouui, but I hear now that J. Katteras will ride him in his engagements. St. Ursula, sister to St. Paul, i 3 being treated to a spell at Mr Peicival's place at Epsom. The Auckland Cup winner, Antare*, has been showing very fair proficiency over the small stick? this week.