OUR AUCKLAND SPORTING LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1893, 2 March 1888, Page 23

OUR AUCKLAND SPORTING LETTER.

(From Oub Special Sporting Corbbspondent.)

Auckland, February 28.

The tracks at Ellerslie are almost as hard as iron, no rain of any account; having fallen for the last two months. Trainers have therefore been indulging their charges in plenty of swimming exercise, and amongst those who seem to have thriven on^this systen of training is Wapiti, who looks very well. Victoria has been pegging away on the track with a view to the Wanganui Cup, and I hear that she got through a satisfactory trial yesterday morning.

Wapiti left for Wanganui yesterday, and Chaafe follows to-day with Victoria and Russley's two-year-old half-brother Tartar, with a view to the Napier meetings. Antelope may also go down by the same steamer.

The parky behind Clogs made a great effort to buy Dudu after her victory in the Egmont Cup, but her owner (Keith) declined to make a deal.

Dudu is a three -year -old daughter of Somnus, and from what I can gather, has a very respectable chance of winning the' Wanganui Derby.

The statement that Foul Shot had been purchased by Mr Stock, of Napier, is contradicted.

A rumour says that an offer of £2500 had been made for Trenton's brother Cuirassier, but no business resulted. Though the rumour comes from a good quarter, I am inclined to accept it with the proverbial grain of salt.

Letters received from Mr Marshall state that he his very hopeful of Pearl Shell annexing either the Ascot Vale Stakes or the Sires' Produce Stakes at the V.R.C. meeting. He will be ridden by Jack Kean.

The Yankees are evidently beginning to look to Australia for thoroughbred stock, as the mail steamer Mariposa which left for 'Frisco yesterday was the bearer of the following: — B c by Epigram— Helen M'Gregor, b c by Maribrynong — Fair Duchess, eh by Fergus — Romping Girl, eh f by Somnus — Geraldine, eh c by Robinson Crusoe — Beatrice. The shipment are the property of Mr J. K. Newton, who states that the last lot he took turned out a handsome return.

The Auckland Amateur Athletic sports took place on Saturday last;, and were witnessed by

about 4000 persons. The principal events were the half-mile club championship. The starters were J. A. Stewart, H. 0. Poulson, H. Pittar, E. Diddains, H. Kinder, A. F. Burton, K. B. Lusk, W. Wynyard, and J. Baxter. From a good start Poulson dashed to the fronh and led to the back of the course, when Kinder took up the running and headed him into the straight. Baxter here came through and Burton caved in. Kinder retired at the corner, and Baxter led round the back. Lusk and Wynyard now came up, and Lusk overhauled and passed Baxter at the home turn, and Wynyard likewise caught and passed him, and the only other remaining in the race (Lusk) was 10yds in front of Wyuyard, Baxter the same behind the latter. Wynyard made a grand run up the straight, and rapidly caught Lusk, but he had left his spurt just a little too late, and the judge's verdict was for Lusk by a few inches. Many thought that the finish was a dead heat. Time, 2min 8 3-ssec. For the Bicycle Handicap, of five miles, A. M. Clark (70yds), J. S. Stewart (50yds), A. Stewart (20yds), A. Buchanan (scr), J. Selby (50yds), F. W. Hunt (120 yds); M. M'Oausland (250 yds), and T. Hammond (250 yds) started. Clarke won with a lot iv hand by 50yds, J. Stewart, 2nd; and A. Stewart, 3rd. Time, 18min 16£ sec. For the Handicap Bicycle Race, three miles, A. G. Clarke (50yds), A. Howacd (30yds), J. Stewart (30yds), F. W. Hunt (90yds), and S. Hunter (130 yds) started. This race was another gift to Clarke, who went to the front when half a mile had been completed, and won as he liked ; Howard, 2 ; A. Stewart, 3. Time, lOmin 49 3-ssec.