AUCKLAND ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1916, 30 October 1890, Page 24

AUCKLAND ITEMS.

(Feom Our Own Correspondent.) Auckland, October 28.

There can be no question that the 0.J.0. Handicapping Committee have this year scored a good record over the New Zealand Cup, for at least eight of the 12 left In are all strongly backed, and tbe race on paper is certainly one of the most open that has been run in the New Zealaud Cup. From the wretched manner in which he cut up in the last Auckland Cup, Jet d'Bau has never been a strong fancy here, but it is recognised that the sou of Cadogan must have shown his party something of a high order, or such an astute pair as Mr S. Gollan and P. Martin would n6t be found standing him. My own particular fancy, however. i» Ciackshot and Wolverine, and if the latter bus any pretensions to being a stayer he should be able to win from the fall of the fl<g. 'ihe betting here has been very brisk during the last couple of days, and the prices on offer may be eaid to be as follows:— Three to 1 against Oraokshot, 4 to 1 St. Andrew and Jet d'Bau, 6 to 1 Wolverine, Dudu, and Merrie England, and 7 to 1 Freedom.

Messrs Adama and Andrews, tbe partners running the totalisator at the Pakurang^ Hunt Club's meeting, made a rather serious error in computing the dividend payable on Hurricane in tho Members' Hurdle Race, paying out £2 2s instead of £1 11b. The error repretentedalossof over £100. Writing to a friend here, Jack Rao, the wellknown iteepleobase rider, states that he will probably return to Auckland about the end of next

month. He has experienced very hard luck during the past few months in Australia, and he evidently is of opinion that he can, after all, gain a belter living In New Zealand. George Wright effected a little ruse at I Klleralie on Saturday last, which enabled him to Bcoop a fair dividend over his horse Orlando in the Hurdle fince, though it did not raise him In popularity with the public, when he was seen to remove the spurs from the jockey's heols and also to ease him of his whip. "Not spieling" was, of course, the general verdict, but tbis proved Incorrect, .-is the horse landed the race, and his owner, by a little piece of finesse, lauded a dividend of £5 14s, whioh would not hive been even money had it been known the horse was a live uu. Major Gaorge returned to Auckland yesterI day by the Tarawera. In a few days it will transpire, no doubt, the policy be advises to be pursued regarding the Sylvia Park stud. Tho general Impression is that he will be in favour of sending it up to auction. At Sylvia Park, Eiyoina (dam of Mitrailleuse) has produced a colt by Nordenfeldt, and Radiance (dam of Quadrant) a filly to the same sire. Perfume and Momenta (dam of Vlotoria) are each respomible for a filly to Ingomar. Tae Fakuranga Hunt Club held their annual race meeting on Saturday last, and as the weather waß fine an interesting afternoon's sport was the result. There was a splendid attendance, and during tho afternoon £2000 was put through the machine. The sport commenced with the Hurdle Raoe, of 35sovs (milo and three-quarters), which attraoted a field of six to the post— Orlando 11.0, Larrikin 10 0. Fishmonger 9 7, Nap 9.10, Agitator 9.10, and Carronade 90. Nap and Larrikin were selected favourites, but after the first mile had been completed Orlando wont to the front, and the race was never afterwards in doubt. The dividend was £5 14s. The Hunt Cup, of 4530vs (about three miles and a-half), only had a field of five, but as tho r«ce was on all bands considered most open, great interest was gat trod in the contest. Tbe starters were Mr T. Craig's iTirrlcane, 12.12 (Owner), 1 ; Mr Halsted's Tawhla>. 10.6(Mr B. L'-xon). 2; Mr Wallace's Fragrance, 10.0 (Owner). 3. Mr Perceval's Jim. 10 6 (Mr Robinson), and Mr B D. Tonka' Odd Trick, 10.6 (Mr H. Tonka), also rin. Hurricane was made favourite. During the first round the jumping was splendid. Jim came down at tho double, which left Hurricane with a good lead ; and then Fragrance came to grief, which reduced the race to a match between Hurricane and Tawhiao. The latter baulked at the post and rail, and Hurricane gained an easy victory by 20 lengths. Dividend, £2 12s The Open Flying Stakes, of 30sov8 (six fur longs), had six starters— viz., Higger 8.4. Capella 7.12, Informa 8.0, Blarney 7.10, Prudence 7.T. and Premier 7.0. Prudence, who wa« favourite, was left at the post, and Capella, who got well away, never gave her opponents a chance, winning easily from Informa, Nigger being a good third. Dividend, £2 19s. The Members' Hurdle Race, of 35aovs (two miles) attraoted four starters — Hurricane 12.7, Randwick 10 0. Nap 11.0, and Tawhiao 10.4. Hurricane won easily. Dividend, £2 2s. The Farmers' Plate, of 20aovs, was won by old Falcon (11.10), who was steered by Mr B. D. O'Rorke. A good-looking field of nine went to tbe post for the Handloap Maiden Plate, of 20sovs (one mile), which was won by Prisollla (7.10), a three-year-old daughter of Oaptivator and Patch, who rewarded her admirers with a £4 12s dividend. The Ladies' Bracelet (welter handicap), one mile and a distance, was won by Mrs J. W. Wallaoe's Lud Gillie (10.7), who beat three others in easy style. AQUATICS. The first actual operations of the rowing season took place on Saturday afternoon. The Ponsonby RowlDg Club held a series of whaleboat races, and after some fair contests between the half dozen crews engaged, that stroked by Mr T Finlayson succeeded in winning. The West End Club had similar trials, but the races were rowed in gigs Some of the heats were exciting, and Mr R. Payne's four finally carried off the trophies. Tbe Auokland Rowing Club had a procession, and made a very nice dltplay as they proceeded up the harbour In fourgunwale gigs, two whaleboats. two pair oars, and 8 string test gig ; about 40 oarsmen taking part in the gala.