AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2362, 1 June 1899, Page 37

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Bt Taihoju

May 29.

The North New Zealand Grand National meeting will be opened at Ellerslie on Saturday week, and judging by the large amount of interest that centres in our June jumping carnival the A.R.C. may look forward to a most successful gathering. The chief events are tha Grand National Hurdle Race to be run on. the, opening day and the Oreat Northern Steplechase, which comes up on. Monday. At the time of writing 14 remain in the Hurdles, but until we are certain as to what West Coast candidates will make the journey to Auckland. it would be unwise to jump at conclusions aa to the possible constitution of the field. Since Splinter went wrong at Takapuna he has dropped back in the betting, but I may say that he is again in work and shows no aign of hia mishap — a sufßcienjj»warning that he is hot tq be taken liberties with. One thing is certain, and that is, that his fall at Takapuna was not due to slovenliness or nervousness, the only fault being that he took off a few inches too far away from his obstacle. Bellman's decisive victory over Nor'-west and Drum-Major ad Takapuna has left behind a favourable impression, and certainly with the- handy impost of 10.9 such a bold reliable jumper as the son of Tetford must be treated with respect. Further, light has also been thrown on the small stickevent by the running of Marina at Wanganui, where the daughter of Sou'-woster answered the question asked her in a most satisfactory manrer bj accounting for the two hurdle raceo. That she has but 9.11 to carry iv the Grand National Hurdles is doubtless due to her poor displays &t Wellington recently, but last week's running seems to indicate that she is dressed in her Sunday best, under which circumstances I shall place her on my side as one of the best thingo in the race — indeed, if public form goes for; anything Marina should provide the winner. .Drum-Major's win on the second day at Taka.yuna, has had the effect of again hardening the oon of Cuirassier in the betting. Wo must not overlook the fact that the field was of the moderate order; nevertheless, he is a horse of some promise, and may run well forward, though to name it in one I must stand by Marina.

The Great Northern Steeplechase beard a, decidedly open appearance. Such a proved prformer as Dummy, who heads the list with 11.11, cannot be overlooked, but as it is not yefc definitely, known whether the son of The Mute will fulfil his engagement and as he has not yet reached Auckland it is difficult to gauge hia prospects, though it may be taken for granted that should he go to the post fit and well he will beat more than beat him. Although Nov'-wess hod given indications of improved staying power this season his collapse in the cross country race somewhat shatters my hopes of his hanging out three trips up the Ellerslie hill, and I shall therefore reluctantly lay the son of Sou 1 -wester on one side. Muscatel won tho Wanganui Steeplechase, and her narrow defeat in the Grand Stand Steeplechase on the second day with 11.6 up shows that the daughter of Foul Shot has a, decided chance of repeating last year's performance when she won the Great Northern Steeplechaso under 10.3, finding the Ellerslie country much to her liking. Splinter is an unknown quantity at steeplechasing, and it would perhaps be aa well for southern readers to note his display in tho Hurdle Race before summing up hi 3 chance. Of the light weights none wear a more inviting appearance than Crusado who has proved himself quite at home over big fences, and I should be almost inclined in fining it down to two to vote for Muscatel and Crusado as the most likely pair to provide the cross country winner. Consderable speculation has been indulged in during the past week ovei the big Ellerslie tumping double, Marina and Muscatel having been supported down to 100 to 8, while on Friday a wager of 500 to 30 was accepted about Marina coupled with Dummy, and 400 to 20 about Splinter and Muscatel. The principal quotations are — 100 to 9 Marina and Muscatel, 100 to 7 Marina with Dummy and Nor'-west; 100 to 4 Marina with Mangere and Crusader ; 100 to 6 Splinter. and Muscatel; 100 to 5 Splinter with Nor'-west and Dummy, and Bellman with Muscatel; 100 to 4 and upwards the others.

The Takapuna Jockey Club brought its Winter meeting to a close on Wednesday last, and although the Queen's Birthday looked rather doubtful as far as the weather was concerned, the club was favoured with a good attendance, and the tote returns were swelled by £7375, bringing the figures for the two days to £12,016. This is £92 below the amount handled at the corresponding gathering last year, bnt then they ran 16 races as against 14 this time, which makes the prespnt total in every way satisfactory. The principal events of the closing day's programme of seven races were the Britannia Handicap and the Steeplechase. The latter was particularly interesting through the presence v among the contestants of more than one National candidate. Firefly carried most money in the Britannia Handicap, one mile, while others well supported were Red Lancer and Cuirasette. As the barrier rose the last-named was quickest; in her stride, and for a couple of furlongs she made the running. Crusado, wno occupied a handy position on the rails, here moved up, and heading off the opposition a few strides further on, the Cuirassier gelding held his own over the remaining sis- furlongs, winning comfortably by a couple of lengths from Cuirasette. After his disappointing display on the opening day in the Birthday Handicap, when he was well backed, the gelding's party did not fancy his chance, and had little or nothing on him. Seven went to the po»t in the Steeplechase, Glenlora being a slightly better favourite than Nor'-weßt, Rifle, and Crusado. The old daughter of Leolinus was one of the first to move, and

was still well in the lead until they reached the water jump for the last time, but once they were on the flat she was seen to be labouring, and evidently had no chance. Nor'-west, who had been running with her, drew away as they ran round the back, where he looked to have everything in it beaten, as all hands except Hall had their whips at work; but before they reached the head of the straight Crusado had the big son of Sou-wester in trouble, and getting in front as they raced to the last hurdle, the black gelding ran home a winner by three lengths. Immediately after the race the parties concerned in Nor'-west lodged a protest against the stakes going to Crusado on the ground of ft cross, and the protest being upheld, the stake was awarded to Nor'-west. That there was a Blight interference there is no doubt in my mind, and although the stewards acted rightly in disqualifying Crusader, I may say that it is not at all likely that there would have been any alteration in the places had the cross not occurred — which means that M'Leod had a bit of bad luck in losing the stake.

While running in the Hack Handicap at Takapuna, Reconstruction pulled up dead lame after about three furlongs had been traversed, and on examination it. was found that the son of Cuirassier had injured the elbow joint of his forearm. So serious is the injury that it is doubtful whether his owner, Mr Dickey, ■will ever be able to train him again. Reconstruction is a three-year-old son of Cuirassier and Liquidation.

• P. M'Coy, who 3ome 14 or 15 years back was one of the leading cross country riders in Auckland, returned here from Sydney last week. Pat talks of settling here, and although it is some years since we saw anything of- him, I understand he is quite prepared to cross the pigskin over sticks or country if called upon.

After being exercised last week, one of Miss Nelson's forelegs filled, and it is hardly likely that the North Shore mare will go to the post at the Grand National meeting. Nor'-west had one of his legs rather badly cut when running in the Takapuna Steeplechase last Wednesday, and it is at present 'doubtful as to whether the son of Sou-wester will be found among the starters at the meeting.

R. J. Mason, private trainer to the Canterbury owner, Mr G. G. Stead, has been in town 'during the past week.

Dummy, Marina, Kanaka, and Muscatel, who are engaged at our National meeting, are expected to arrive to-morrow.

J. Gallagher, the well-known local horseman, left for Sydney to-day, and will probably put in the best part of the winter season on the other side. ' Anita, who had been leased from the Messrs Duder Bros, by D. Morrigan, went amiss at Ellerslie last week, and has been returned to her owners. She is to be relegated to stud duties.

The speedy Miss Delavel has been again put la work.