THE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 5017, 14 December 1877, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

SU.M.MKK MEETING. At eight o'clock this evening the nominations for all the events on the programme besides the Cup and Steephchase, will close at the secretary 'a office, and no entries can upon any consideration be received after that hour. As already intimated, there are a large number of horses iu traiuiug for this meeting, but until the entries are definitely made and the weights known, it would be simply useless to endeavour to write definitely or distinctly on any of the event! other than the Cup and Steepl, chase, for which the weights are known aud acceptances declared. The Cup at first was looked upon as a sure thing for Walters's stables, aud an impression prevailed that Mr. Walters could elect to win eitlier with Hippocampus or Venus Transit. A change of feeling has now set in. It is rumoured that the mare is not quite straight, and p 'ople be gin to think that she may imt b finite so good for two miles as she was in the short distances at last meeting when she beat Longlands. Carrying Sit. llibs.. Hippocampus has top weight, now that Danebury, with 9st., has not accepted ; and now people begiu to fancy that Elsa, with 7st. 4!bs., is not quite out of the Cup. In fact, it is now a much more open race than it was some weeks ago ; but there is no straight betting on the Cup, and all the backing is on the doubles with the Steeplechase. For the latter thf betting may be taken as follows :— 2 to 1 against Perfume, 2 to 1 against Tom Flynn, 5 to 1 against Don Juan, Butcher Boy, Whitefoot aud Greyhound, aud 10 to 1 against any of the others. Perfume, not withstanding the heavy weight she has to carry, 12st. 4lbs., is the favourite in the singles and doubles ; but Tom Flym, at 10st., is well fancied, and Whitefoot, at lOst. lllbs., is also well in the race. If the running ia not made too hot for Perfume, so that she may not be so forced that the weight will tell on her, she may of course be looked on as a pretty sure thing, but with so many in the race no certainty can be made. For an outsider, I should feel inclined to spot Don Juan. He is coming out well, and with a professional fearless rider up, I think he will not lulie his reputation, but will jump and run honestly, notwithstanding his failure at the Pakuranga Hunt Club. PII.ETON.