AUCKLAND ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1903, 24 July 1890, Page 26

AUCKLAND ITEMS.

(Fbom Oub Own Cobbespondent.) Auckland, July 22.

Some time baok T wirad you that a dispute hart cropped up over the Autumn Handicap won by J. Kean's St. Michael, run at the South Auckland R.C. meeting. Some days after the close of the meeting it came to light, that St. Michael should havo carried a 51b fpoualty which he incurred by a race lie won at tho Tantuaki meeting, and a protest was lodged by Mr Walters against Mr JKean receiving tho stakes. The point was raised that the protest not having bten lodged before the close of tho meeting, \i could net. bo entertained. On the other haud, however, it was contended that it would form a diingeroug precedent to throw tho matter out on such ground*. The rules provide that the owner shall bu lined Mb if ho fails to declare his penalty, but they arc silent ou tho point as to what ia to be dona whore a horse competes without carrying the penalty to which he had become entitled. The following li the resolution passed at thu meeting of the South Auckland stewards last we"k:— "That, according to Kuiei 138 and 130, Mr Walters had no claim upon the Autumn Handicap Stuke», run tor at late Autumn meeting at GlaudeJpudß, and that they be handed

over to the owner of Bt. Mtohael, Mr Kean; but as Mr Kean, through his negligence in not informing the -secretary of his liability to carry a penalty of 51tr extra, haa put the stewards and club to considerable expense and trouble, the full fine of £5 be enforced in accordance with Hule 43." I feel pretty certain that If the committee of the metropolitan club were appealed to a different deoision would be given, but it Is very unlikely that Mr Walters will appeal. I understand that an offer of £11,000 was recently made for the Sylvia Park stud, but £13,000 was asked, which haß not led to business. It is stated that the stud will most likely be submitted to auction in January next, unless in the meantime someone comes on tho scene and takes it at the price mentioned above.

Aucklanders are chewing the cud of discontent over the hard luck Rae has encountered in Australia with Donald and Titokowaru, with whioh he respectively acted as runner up In the Grand National Hurdle and Steeplechase. Titokowaru wan especially baoked to win a good stake, and his defeat cost Auoklanders a good round sum. The partners in Antelope having deoided on separation, the daughter of Apremont was last week submitted to auotion, when she was purchased by Mr T. Hedger at 235gu. The New Zealand Stud Company will, I understand, be represented in the C.J.O. Challenge Stakes by 24 nominations. ■ , Very little work ia being done at Ellerslie, but the New Zealand Cup candidate Reprisal feems to be making progress in preparation for early spring engagements. Medallion ia most fancied here for the New Zealand Oup, and is quoted at 8 to 1. The party behind Cuirassier have deoided upon undertaking an Australian trip, and the horse, I understand, will be shipped to Sydney at an early date.