AUCKLAND SPORTING LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 24

AUCKLAND SPORTING LETTER.

(Feom Our Special Sporting Contributor.)

Auckland, January 11.

Long and loud complaints are heard from all quarters at the management of the totalisators at the Auckland Summer meeting. I have for a long time been living in hope that with experience a better state of affairs wonld be brought about in this respect, but I am forced to admit that the management of the machine during the late meeting -was as bad as could be. It is averred that in several cases short dividends have been paid, and in one — the Victoria Handicap— an error of 2s short to the public was made. This the club ordered the lessees to pay, and backers of the winner were therefore requested to call upon the totalisator man for the extra money. Needless to say that plenty responded to the invitation, and as only their word could be taken in the matter of their being investors on the winner, the club were fleeced of a good sum of money. On the day of tha insertion of the advertisement much more money had been paid away' than there was tickets issued for, and they still continue to tumble in for those two colonial "roberts."

Had Mr Dowse been here when his handicap for the Dunedin Cup came to hand, he would have heard 6ome very flattering encomium's on the excellence of his work. So far as I can see it is almost faultless, and if you do not have a big race the handicapper win not be to blame. The three horses that, stand out to me as the most likely to supply the winner are Nelson, Disowned, and Spade Guinea. The ring men are loath to take any liberties with Nelson, and 5 to 1 is the best offer of account against him.

I understand that Major George has entered Nelson for the Newmarket Handicap, Australian Cap, and Sydney Cup. Mitrailleuse has also been nominated for the first-named race.

The two-year-old filly Lady Florin, by Musket— Florin, has been purchased on behalf of a Napier syndicate. The. price said to have been paid for- the filly is £500. I understand that the main object of the purchase is ' ■with" a view to winning the Hawke's Bay Guineas. Falcon, winner of the Auckland Steeplechase, was purchased by Mr Lennard last season for something like £350. This investment proTetl a most lucky one, for the old chaser has already handed back close uprm £600.

Major Walmsley's departure for England has given rise to the rumour that the object of his visit to the Old country is to secure a stallion to replace Musket, and some have even gone so far as to say that the Stud Company have armed him with a commission to purchase Robert tho Devil. This js quite untrue ; the major goes HWe altogether m hfe own business, and I

understand the purchase of a stallion has not everi'beean'nrterconßideratioiii* ",-':< •j v '.''.'' Your*dld s friend Jimmy l£ean is, r am'glad to state, likelysboa to have a formidable string under his charge. .A gentleman who was a purchaser at Sylvia Park last season of the Musket— r Erycina-colt and the Musket— Pearjash filly, intends to place them iv Kean's hands,' and they may also race in his" name. At Wapganui races the Northern Jockey Club Handicap, of lOOsovs, was won by Mr J. Kean's Victory, who' carried 9»t. The Kensington Park Handicap and Flying Stakes each fell to Wapiti, the son of. King Cole, carrying 9at to victory in each case;'

• . CRICKBT. The Senior Cap matches ', were resumed on Saturday. Auckland and the ' United were associated together, the latter. going first to the wickets. " They pat together 160 runs, of irhfoh R. M'Pher&on put up 44 in capital style. Auckland then . went, in, and at the call of time had four -wickets -down for 43 runs, Arneil being top score with 27 to his credit.

Holland v. Gordon waged an equal battle. The former knocked up 120; of which Mills contributed 35. Gordon made but a short stand, and were dismissed for #4.

AQUATICS.

The chaiapion whaleboat race to be rowed at the Auckland regatta on the 29th is likely to attract entries from the following clubs:— Nelson, Mercury Bay, North Shore, Waitemata, Napier, Waitara, and no less than three from the' Thames.

BOWLING.

The Auckland Bowling Club is preparing for the coming interprovincial match with the Tarattaki team, which takes place shortly.