SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10098, 6 April 1896, Page 5

SPORTING.

THE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING. [by phaeton.] With everypromisoofsunshinefor theA.R.C. Autumn Meeting at Ellerslie to-day, that important fixture will be inaugurated under moat favourable auspices. The welcome rain that fell during last week has had the effect of working a wonderful transformation on the course and its surroundings, for the longcontinued drought had given the place such a parched-up look as to cause one to think we were in the height of summer instead of autumn. However, the refreshing rams have now livened up the grass to such an extent as to present a spent) something in keeping with an autumn fixture. . The programme with which the A.R.C. inaugurates the autumn season consists of eight events, and as in all cases the acceptances are most satisfactory, a highly enjoyable afternoon's sport Beems to be in every way assured. The opening event of the programme is the Tradesmen's Plate, for which St. Laura, Stepfeldt, and Lillie read to me the best. Of this trio 1 have most fancy for Stepfeldt; but as the daughter of Nordenfeldt is also engaged in the Easter Handicap she may be reserved for that race. In her absence, St. Laura may prove the safest to trust, though Liliio I take to be very dangerous. The Champagne Stakes, which is the next item on the card, has eight youngsters engaged, but that number is, I think, almost sur*> to be reduced to less than half a dozen at scale time. I take it to be & match between Arinilla and St. Paul, and the result of the meeting of that speedy pair will be awaited with a deal of interest, as both are in capital nick. I fancy the chance of Annilla most, though I am at the same time quite certain that St. Paul will set the daughter of Castor a very much severer task to bring about his defeat than he did at Wanganui last month, when the filly dressed him down sodecisively. The Easter Handicap has still twelve horses engaged, but with no less than five hailing from one stable it may bo taken as quite certain that the field will be reduced when the saddling-up is ordered. The parties connected with Fabulist continue to hold the chance of their horse in high esteem; and as this would appear to point to his having recovered his summer form, he must he voted daugorous. Acone is a strong Ellerslie tip, and iu the opinion of many it will only require the withdrawal of his stable mate Stepfeldt to cause him to be a strong favourite. I must say, however, that I was not favourably impressed with tho manner in which the St. Leger gelding finished up his work on Saturday morning. Stepfeldt, who finished the last seven furlongs with him, moved in a very resolute manner, and she appeared to have much the worst of the weights. If Acone is preferred by the stable to Stepfeldt, that is a lead that it will not do to disregard; but may nay, in the absence of _ proof on that point, Seepteldt's chance finds most favour with me. Anita has not been seen at headquarters, so that I am entirely dependent 011 hearsay as to the state of her condition. She is, I »m led to understand, iu capital nick; and as she is a proved stayer, 1 am prepared to oast my vote in her favour. Tne Hurdle Race looks pretty open. Donald McKinuon reads to me the most likely one to gain distinction, and ho may have most to fear from Carbuncle. St. Laura and Miss Nelson should have a deal to say in the Eden Handicap, and they may have most to fear from Lillie. The issue in the Onslow Stakes seems to bo pretty open. If Lady Auna is re«erved she must be very dangerous, but St. Elmo may prove the hardest to beat. Previous running may be expected to throw some light 011 the Railway

Handicap, and with no less than four hailing from one stable, it is & most difficult race to deal with. Miss Nelson may, however, repay watching. The following are the acceptances for the various events TRADEMEfCS Plate of SO.IOTS. One mile. st lb ft lb Doris .. ..8 7 Lord Dunluco ~7U St. Laura .. ..8 6 Free l.ance.. .. 7 0 The Sharper .. 711 Krontign&e.. .. Oil stepfeldt .. .. 710 Tit 011 Retaliation ..7 7 Norina .. ..0 7 Llllio .. ..7 8 tue Northern Ciumpignk Stakes of SOOjots Six furlongs. at lb Mr, C. Hewitt's be St. Paul, by St. I.eger— Satanella 810 Messrs. Alison Bros.' ch o Nestor, by St. Leger —Tamora 8 10 Mr. 11. Burke's b f Lady Anna, by St. Leger— Anna 8 8 Major F. N. George's b f Quickflre, by Carbine llestia 8 8 Mr. S. ('. Canlton's b ( Porangl Potae, by Castor—Madcap 8 8 Mr. T. Morrill's b f Armilla, by Castor—Neckluce 8 8 Mr. Ralph's b g Admiral llawke, by NelsonVendetta 8 8 Easter Handicap. One mile and a-half. st lb st lb Fabulist .. .. Sll Three Star.. ..7 2 Folly .. ..8 2 Ida 7 0 Aeons .. .. '1 10 Merry Maid .. 7 0 Doris .. ~7 7 Rwpleldt .. .. 612 Anita ~ ~7 6 Anniversary .. 010 Panoply .. ..7 4 Norina .. ~9 7 * Including 31b penalty. Handicap Hurdles of ioosots, Two miles. st lb st lb Donald McKinnon 11 6 Viceroy ~ ,97 Bonnvoree ~ .. 11 3 Dorothy ~ ..0 7 Ika Vuka .. .. 912 Carbunclo _ ~9 4 Kincswond .. 0 1-2 BUcktiiar.. ~0 3 I.uch Ness.. .. 0 12 Ditto .. ..0 0 Eden Handicap of lOOsors. Se»en furlongs. st lb st lb Walukn „ ..0 4 l.lllie ~ ..7 0 Forma .. . 8 8 Kve 7 2 St. Laura .. ..8 7 Deartshot ~ ..7 2 Three Star.. ..8 0 I'eerless „ ..7 0 Stepfeldt .. ..8 0 Norina .. .. 010 Miss Nelson ..7 9 Pirate .. ..8 7 , llaria .. ..7 7 I ONSLOW .stakes of 80sovs, Five furlongs. st lb st lh Lady Amu.. ..90 Admiral Ilawke .. 7 7 No-tor .. ..8 4 St. Oord 'ii . ..7 0 Amarus .. ~ 8 J Lady Cuisine .. (112 St. Kluio .. .. 8 0 Korowai .. ..0 7 Decoration .. 710 St. Owen .. ..6 7 Pony Handicap of 50sorc. Seven furlongs. st lb st lb Mavourneen . 9 9 Silkworm .. .. 7JO Lady Thornton ..8 6 Hit o' Fashion ~7 6 I.euna .. ..8 3 Fidget .. ..7 0 Vampire .. .. 712 Railway Handicap of SOsors. Six furlongs, st lb stlb A'one .. ..9 0 Frontignac.. «7 « Doris .. 812 Lufra .. ..7 6 Forina .. .. 811 IflrdDunluce ..7 4 Webley .. ..8 8 M&ikineh .. ..7 4 Orion .. »8 7 Dummy .. ..7 0 Linstock .. ..8 0 (Jlenlora .* ..7 0 The Sharper .. 8 0 Norina .. .. 812 I Ally Marion ..8 0 Ilex -. .. ..8 10 Miss Nelson .. 7 11 Special trains are timed to leavo Auckland station for the racecourse platform at 10.45, 11.0,11,30,12.0,12.30,1.0, and 2.10. The catering at the two grandstands will, as usual, be in tho efficient hands of Mr. T. McEwin.of the City Buffet, and a notification bearing thereon will be found published in another column.

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB'S MAY MEETING, [BY IBLMRAPil.—finest JSSOOIATION.J Dunkpik, Saturday. The following nominations have been received for tho Dunedin Jockey Club's May Meeting Birthday Handicap.—Bell icent, New Forest, Black anil Red, Jane Byre, Kuroclyden, Marino, QuiHirl, .sklrmlntier, Saracen, (Ally Zetland, Lord Zetland, Barm by, Au ilevoir, Einffieline, Hippometies. Van Bursa. Tradesmen's Handicap.—Bellicenfc, New Forest, Vandyke, Vanquisher, Maremraa, Rangitea, Beadonwoll, Black ami Red, Casket, Taira, The Winchman, Jan# Kyre, Euroclydon, Victim, Marino, Quiltiri, Silver Spec, King's Bowman, Wedlock, Bizarre, Lord Zetland, Warrington, Gulverln, Barinby, Golden Fleece, Salvo, Einuieline, l.ady Souinus, Brill, Ilippomenes, Van Buren, Marlin, Twilight, Ton, Rouiorse, Vanilla, Gannonshot. Provincial Handicap.—Bellicenfc, New Forest, Vandyke, Maremnm, Beadonwell, Black and Rod, Jane Kyre, Kuroclydon, Victim, Marino, Quiltlrl, King's Bowman, Skirmisher, Saracen, Lady Zetland, Lord Zetland, Culverin, Barmhy, Au Re>olr, Euimeline, Musket, Lady Somnus, nippomenes, Van Buren, St Clair. Wiii.TMi Handicap.—Bollicent, New Forest, Ilex, The Vanquisher, Mareinma, Hantiatea, Beadonwell, Black and Red, Casket, Tiara, Tho Winchman, Jane Kyre, Kuroclydon, Mariner, Victim, Marino, Silverspec, Cactus, Royal .Salute, Marino, Silver, Calvenn, Salvo, Musket, Happy Dream, Paramu, Captive, Marlin, Van Buren, Toxa, Remorse 11., Lollo, Cannonfihot. LANCASTER PARK TROTTING CLUB'S MEETING. Chrmcuurcii, Saturday. Although the weather was bad and the track very heavy, there was a large attendance at tho Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club's Meeting, The following are tho results Maiden Handicap (Saddle) of 35sovs. Two miles. —Lorinier, Ms., 1; Pride of Kilkenny, 22a,, 2, Bight ethers started. Won by 80 yards. Time, Cm. Is. Dividend, £3 Bs. Pony Handicap (Harness or Saddle) of 25sovs. Two miles.— War beck won by 200 yards from a field of 15. Tune, 6m. 2». Dividend, £5 <s. Autumn Handicap (Saddle) of lOOsovs. Two miles.—Rita, scratch, 1; Prince Albeit, 215,, 2; Black Oats, 318.. 3. Sevon others started. Won by four lengths, twice that distance between the socond and third. Time, 6m, 20s. Dividend, £4 4s. Selling Handicap (Harness) of 30sovs. One mile and 'Sunlight, scratch. 1: Energy, 145., 2. Six others started. Won by half a length. Time, 4m. 40s. Dividend, £2/ Maiden Handicap (harness) of lOsovs. One mile.—Miss Tracky, Bs., 1; Pilot, lis., 2; Imperial, 18s., 3. Eight others started. Won by 30 yards. Time, 3m. 20s. Dividend, £2125. Easter Handicap (huneis) «f 160sovs. Three miles,— Cheers, 80s., 1. Four others (started. Won by 300 yard* from Rita (scratch). Time, Bm. 465. Dividend, £10 Bs. The stewards of their own notion decided to hold over the stakes, though paying out the totalisUor dividend, pending the consideration of Three Cheers' recent running. Electric Handicap (saddle) of 60so»s. One mile.—Pastime, Us.. 1. Twelve others started. 'lime, Sou. lis, Dlridsud, £12 Ilia.