AUCKLAND NOTES.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7266, 28 January 1889, Page 2

AUCKLAND NOTES.

[BY OTJB COBRKSPONDKNTS.] January 22. . There has been a proposal to alter dates of the Auckland Racing Club's Autumn in-eettng from Easter Saturday and Monday to the Monday and Tuesday. The matter came before the Committee this afternoon when it was sensibly agreed to let the fixture remain as at present. It was decided to increase the added money of the Easter Handicap from 150 to 200 soys; the EUerslie Handicap from 50 to 100 soys; and the Autumn Handicap from 130 to 150 soys. Mr Percival tells mc the Club made a profit of £1800 over the Sum* mer Meeting which is very satis-actory and this is the principal cause of the Club adding another 90 soys in added money to the three races as mentioned above. J. Chaafe, the well known local trainer, left for Sydney in the s.s. Te Anau this after* noon, where he proposes to settle down. His departure was unexpected and the matter only became public two or three days ago. When it was well known, Mr F. Marshall and Mr M. Gallagher took the matter in hand of raising a Chaafe testimonial, which took the form of an address ana purse of soys, and > the presentation was made this afternoon by Frank Law—, M.HJR., in presence of a large number of our leading turfites. Mr Marshall generously headed the subscription. list with a donation of £20. Chaaffe's health was drunk in champagne and some speechifying took place. The testimonial was headed : " We, the undersigned, on your departure from Auckland to Australia, desire to express the high estimation in which you are held, and as an- earnest of the same beg your acceptance of the accompanying parse of sovereigns." Chaafe took over with him Tartar, the three-year-old son of Musket and Steppe, On Guard, and' the yearling colt by Nordenfeldt—> Pulchra that he purchased at the N.Z. Stud Company's yearling sale. A large crowd assembled on the wharf to witness the steamer's departure, and the veteran left with all kinds of good wishes from his Auckland friends. Tartar's owner received £350 for his colt, and it is just likely he may find his way to Brisbane. The Auckland visitors to the Gisborne Races who returned yesterday, speak very strongly anent the Stewards awarding the prize in the TaurangaStakes to Man Friday. The alleged " cross " is said to have taken place when the horses were about a hundred yards from home, at which time Lady Norah was winning easily, while Man Friday was under the whip. The Stewards would hear no further evidence than that of the respective trainers and jockeys, and it is further said that they even refused to hear the evidence of Mr Pritchard, Clerk of the Coarse, who had a lull view of the alleged interference. It is quite certain that Gisborne races will see no support from Auckland in future. An excellent programme has been issued by the Auckland Tattersall's Club for their inaugural race meeting, which is fixed to take place at Takapuna racecourse on Saturday, 16th February. The added money tots up to £285. The jumper Artist has gone Into Harry Harrison's handa. Takapuna races take place on Saturday and Tuesday next. The weights for the two leading races are:—Tab-ipotca Handicap, one-and-a-quarter mile—Discord 9st, Escutcheon Bst 101b, Clogs Bet, Battst* Bst, Leorina Bst, Raglan Bst 81b, Capella 7st, Lioness 7st, Pusehka 7st, Eruption 7st, The Duke 6st 121b, Landseer 6st 121b, Orangeman 6st 71b, Bellbird 6st, Jessie fist. Handicap Stbkpi-Bchasb, about 3 miles —Peter Osbeck 12st, Orangeman list 61b, Shillelagh lOst 121b, Recruit lOst 101b, Falcon lOst 81b, Artist lOst 81b_Pretender lOst 41b, Huntsman lOst 41b, Whalebone 9st 121b, Don 9st 71b, Highland Mary 9st 71b, Larrikin Hat. Quiip 9st, Rosie 9st. Mantilla, the winner of the Onehunga Cup on Saturday, was got by Anteros out of Mattna, fall sist_r to Sou'wester. Matina was brought down here some years ago from Sydney along with that arch deceiver Maori, bat has since died; while at the stud she produced Mantilla and St. Michael. Lady Norah was brought back from Gisborne on Monday, and Eaeatcheon, Pretender, Clogs, and Cashla are back from Taranaki. Nelson is a daily attendant on the EUerslie track, and doing good work. Previous to leaviftg, Chaafe broke in and handled the yearling colts by_Norden_eldt —Pulchra and Nordenfeldt—Eryoina, and both were ridden by very light boys. It is intended to have Rataplan (Nelson's halfbrother) gelded and torsed oat till next season.