RACING NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 257, 5 November 1897, Page 5

RACING NEWS.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB

SPRING MEETING

NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS,

Ellerslie will be eh fete to-morrow, when the first race meeting of the season at headquarters takes place. The programme is a most interesting one, and includes the Auckland Guineas of '.OOsoys, Musket Stakes of 200sovs, and City Handicap $ 200sovs. All of the events bear an open appearance, and providing tbe Aveather is favourable there should be good racing and a large attendance of the public. The first event is timed to start at 1 p.m., and the last at 5.40 p.m. Fourteen are engaged in the President's Handicap, q^ie mile, which opens proceedings. The Papakura trained Swordly.h will probably win, and Royal Conqueror and Cuiralba may fill the other places.

The Guineas is a very open race indeed, and there is little to choose between the Ellerslie trained lot. Coronet has done his work of late in quite his old style, and St. Crispin has also got through a good preparation. HoAvever, from a time point of vieAv, Miss Emmy has accomplished the best mile, and I shall select Mr L. D. Nathan's mare to gain the coveted honour, with St. Crispin second, and Coronet third. Miss Anna is trained at the North Shore, and the much-talked of Favona in private at Mangerc. Both are reported to be well. Miss Emmy is to be ridden by D. Morri-

gan. The Musket Stakes -will introduce several local juveniles avlio have not yet raced, and also the Napier-owned filly Victoria Cross. The winner is hard to select. Explosion (by Cuirassier—Jadestone), Hylas (by St. Hippo—-Cantiniere) and Dayntree (by Castor — Vivandiere) have each done good Avork at Ellerslie, but I think the Avinner Avill be Hermosa or St. Innis.

The Hurdle Race, 1^ miles, promises to attract a dozen runners. My place selection is Muscatel, 1; Nor'-Avest, 2 • Tim, 3.

Next comes the Shorts Handicap, 5 furlongs. This may be Avon by St. Kilda. The City Handicap, 1J miles, should prove a close race. The best handicapped horse in the event is Fabulist. He is trained in private, and it is therefore ahvays dilTicult to ascertain if he is really fit. However, I have good accounts of the visiting horse Angler, and it may be that he Avill defeat Fabulist.

The Flying Handicap, six furlongs, may go te Porange Potae. Of the lot engaged in the Pony Handicap the Avinner Avill probably come from Napoleon, or Mr J. C. Booth's selected (Fair Nell or Presentment).

HIPPONA,

Mr Thos. McEAvin, the well-knoAvn caterer, will have charge of the luncheon room in the grand stand and will supply afternoon tea.