AUCKLAND ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1934, 19 March 1891, Page 25

AUCKLAND ITEMS.

(Fbom Oub Own Cobbespondent.) Atjokland, March 17. I regret to learn that advices from Wellington regarding Mr Bobbett's bone Quadrant are far from reassuring. When seized with oolio on board the Hauroto, while on the passage up from Dunedin, he knocked himself about very badly, and in addition he is Buffering from an internal complaint. , . Mr Morrin informed me that George Wright's explanation of Hilda's indifferent running in the Dunedin Cup has satisfied him that there it nothing in the accusations that have been bandied about as to the mare being " stiff " in that race. There was some little grumbling amongst certain horse-owners over the insertion of Sentinel's name amongst the nominations for the Auckland, Steeplechase, as the entry was not in the hands of the seoretary at the time of closing. It appears that the nomination was forwarded by telegraph as a delayed wire, and though despatched from Uawera some four hours! before the hour of closing was not delivered, being placed In the A.8.0. private box at the poit office. There is nothing in the rules forbidding an entry being received under such circumstances. The horse's nomination will therefore be received. Sentinel Is a son of that much neglected sire Gapapie, and from the manner in wbloh he won the two hnrdle races he is likely to make a name for himself as a " lepper." The statement that the stallion Billingsgate had died Is, I learn from Mr Thorpe, his owner, incorrect. The son of Isaak Walton Is at the Harp stables, and Mr Thorpe tells me he was never in better health. Mr Gollan's filly Tiraillerie, who laijt week distinguished herielf at Wanganui, is engaged in the Auokland Champagne Stakes, to be run this month at Ellerslle ; and as she has passed out of her 0.J.0. engagements, owing to the Napier sportsman having forwarded his acceptances too late, he may elect to send her up to Auokland. From an AuokInnd sportsman who saw her run at Wanganui, I gather that she is a very slippery young lady, though whether she will prove equal to downing The Workman Is a very moot point. James Kean, the well-known trainer, is still In Australia, but I am informed that he intends comiDg back to Auokland at an early date. Though much improved in health, I am very much afraid Little Jimmy will never again be the man he was. His brother has for some time been suffering from rheumatism, but is now in a fair way to recover, and will probably soon be again seen in the saddle. The Henderson's Mill Turf Olnb had splendid weather to-day for their annual raoing, and there were over 1000 persons preient. .The programme opened with the Maiden Plate, of 25sovs, for which Macaroni (8.2) was made a red hot favourite ; but Bob Thorpe supplied the winner with his pony Forget-me-Not (6.12). who won by three-parts of a length, and bis admirers were treated to a dividend of £5 12s. The Hurdle Baoe, of 45sovs, two miles, was regarded as the best of good things for Sentinel (10.4), and such proved to ba the cnse, the son of Capapie winning in a canter. Dividend, £3 Is. The St. Patrick's Handicap, of 25so va, five furlongs, resulted in a victory for Prestissimo (6.8), who defeated Macaroni (7 6) by a neck after an exoitlng finish. Dividend, £6 15s. The big event of the afternoon was the Cup, of 7Ssovs, one mile and a-quarter, which drew out the following field -.—Antelope (9.4), Ingorina (8.10). Tamora (7.4), Memorandum (8.8), Cnpella (7.6), Minnie (7.4), Te Kooti (7.0), and Warrior (6 4). Antelope was made a warm favourite, and though she made a big run at the finish she could never get on terms with Gapella, who won by a couple of lengths, the daughter of Capapie having led from start to finish. Dividend, £35 ss. The Selling Bace fell to Octopus (8.1), who defeated four others in easy style. Dividend, £1 10s. The Steeplechase, of 60sovs, attracted a field of six — Hopeful hate (10 4), Fishmonger (10.7). Nap (11 5), Begorrah (9.12), General (9.10), and Moderator (9.7). Fishmonger and Hopeful Kate had a big battle, wbioh terminated in Fishmonger winning by a neck. Dividend, £7 6s. The Railway Handicap, of 25sovs, six furlongs, was regarded as a good thing for Antelope (9.8), but she was beaten by a short head by Ingorina after a splendid set-to. Dividend, £3 18s. £3420 passed through the totaliiator during the afternoon.