AUCKLAND AUTUMN RACES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 847, 4 June 1867, Page 2

AUCKLAND AUTUMN RACES.

The Auckland autumn meeting took place on Friday and Saturday, the 24th and. 25th ulfc. On the first day, the principal. event was the — Auckland Handicap Sweepstakes, of 6 soya, each, with 70 soys. added, 2 miles. Mr. J. Ellis's br h The Miller, 4 yrs... (J. O'Connor) 1 Mr. Stafford's eh g Magenta, 3 yrs..._ (R. Wright) 2 Mr. R. Thorpe's b g Glengarry, 6 yrs... (Tborpe) 3 Mr. Walter's b g Numa, aged (Lang) 4 Mr. Dawson's eh g Lord Lyon, aged.., (S. Barron) 0 Mr. Fawn's b h Balrowhie, 6 years... (H. Cundy) 0 Mr. Watt's blk g Euclid, aged ... (J. Maboney) 0 Mr, R. McGee's b g Old Bird, aged... (F. Taylor) - 0 Major Baker's b ra Moss Rose, 4 years— (T. Larkins) 0 —The running is thus described by the sporting reporter of the Southern Cross :— "This was the chief event of the day, and mustered nine competitors. It was set down as' a certainty for Mr. H. Stafford's Magenta. The previous performances of the animal favoured the conclusion, and his excellent appearance on the field went still further in support of his favouritism. The animal had been brought up to win the handicap, and his numerous supporters were unanimous in awarding him first position at the winning-post when the race terminated. The betting was consequently all in his favour, and nothing but the new colour was discussed amongst the little knots of members of the sporting fraternity dotted here and there. For once, however, the knowing ones were doomed to disappointment and vexation, jand not a few to considerable loss over the event in question. The prophets found at its close that they bad been " barking up the wrong tree," and many of their adherents had to pay the piper pretty stiffly in consequence. They are deserving of some sympathy, however, because ifc is quite natural to pay attention to the opinions of others, even to the prejudice of one's • own on some occasions ; and where that opinion has been consulted, and with success, a second or third reliance is not unreasonable. The nine competitors for the event were mustered at the starting post, in front of the,.. Grand Stand, after having a preliminary canter, and afforded the public an opportunity of judging of their respective merits. There were no less than three false starts in the race, arising principally from Mr. Matraver's anxiety to do justice to each horse. In the first start the Miller and Glengarry had the advantage, and then Euclid endeavoured to get away too soon ; whilst the third was caused by the jockeys holding in their horses too much. Ultimately a good start was effected, the horses getting well off together, with the favourite at the front. The Miller was the next to take the lead, with Magenta second, followed by Glengarry and Euclid ; and in this order the first mile was run. The Miller and Magenta made the running together for the remainder of the distance, and when nearing the straight run in a most exciting race ensued. The numerous backers of Mngenta, up to this time, entertained little or no doubt; of the success of their horse, but symptdms of fear were rapidly developing as the straight run in opened to view the rival competitors in the same awkward proximity to each other. The excitement waxed stronger as the trio came pelting along and passed the judge's box with only three-quarters of a neck difference between the trio, the outsider carrying off the palm. The run was well-con-tested, and worthy the result. The Miller, it will be remembered, was imported from Sydney by Messrs. Haines and Ellis, and has been unfortunate hitherto. Glengarry ran a good third, having been ably piloted by his owner, whilst Numa shaped well for and obtained fourth place at the winningpost. Time : 4min. Bsec. On the second day, the' two best stakes — the Queen's Cup and the Autumn handicap — were taken by Mr. Stafford's Nebula. Euclid came to the post for the Selling Stakes, and was placed second, but does not seem to have stood high throughout. At the close he was knocked down for £17.