AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 28

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

(Feom Ode Own Correspondent.}

Auckland, August 2.

Football has been the great excitement during the weak. The Auckland v. Thames matA came off on Saturday, and our representatives, although the favourites, gave their backers a terrible fright, as from the start up to within 10 minutes of the linish they scored nothing, but when they did get an opening " By Jove," said one of their backers, " this is what I thought they could do from the start." I fancy condition won the match, as the Thames team : went wofully to pieces towards the finish. Taranaki v. Auckland comes oil" next Saturday. Several changes have been made in the Auckland representatives, and I am of opiuion that after a. great struggle Auckland will win. I had the pleasure to-day of looking over Robert Thorp's youngsters at the Kllerslie Hotel. The first yearling to be introduced was a well-grown brown daughter of .St. Leger and Satanclla, the latter being a daughter !of Hippocampus and old Slander. Like all {St. Leger's stock she is growing very fast, and with the exception of a

peculiar-looking kneecap, looks like furnishing into a beautiful filly. All this filly's relations have shown pace, and I trust for her owner's sake she will follow suit. Number 2 box contained a whole bay two-year-old, daughter of Brigadier and Charity— a scampering young lady of the thick, low stamp, who I found had unfortunately hurt herself in a wire fence, but was making a good recovery. Number 3 box contained a bay yearling filly, full sister to the last mentioned. She is also diminutive in stature, and is likely to make a valuable pony racer. Number 4 box was occupied by a nice three-yeai-old bay son of the Dauphin from Charity. He also will pass under the galloway standard, and will be valuable as a pony racer. The old champion miler Billingsgate was next paraded for inspection. The old fellow carries his 14 years lightly, and looks healthy and robust. I understand Mr Thorp's son, who resides at Gisborne, will offer his services iv that district next season, and as all his stock jump naturally he should receive a fair amount of patronage. I was on the point of saying good-bye, when who should unexpectedly turn up but Mr Percy Martin (Mr S. 11. Gollan's trainer), just arrived from Sydney on a visit to complete some private business. After the hand shaking was over, I learned from him that he is pleased with Australia, but he thinks they hardly give fair play to visitors unless you let them into your stable secrets. He spoke feelingly on the Kimberley case, as it appeared in the Australasian, and informed me that after the running of the horse in every race since his arrival had been shown to the sporting editor of the Australasian the unfair remarks were admitted as uncalled for, and a promise made that they .should not occur again. "But what was the good of that?" said MiMartin, " when it has gone forth to the world ?" Mousquetaire, brother to Zalinski. was enjoying himself in a paddock when lie left, and will not be heard of until next autumn. Namoa has never been well from the day she came off the New Zealand steamer. Tirailleur is going well, but has never recovered from his accident in the train, when his tail was broken, and from his walk he looks as if he was hurt behind. Mr Gollan, I believe, received the large sum of L 250 compensation for this. Tiraillerie has run her last race. She broke down just when she was in her best fettle, h*d thickened out, and showed some splendid private form, which must be considered hard luck for so plucky a sportsman as Mr Gollan. Medjidie, the bay son of St. Legcr and Rosette, after fiiling out into a magnificent animal, won one race at Mentoue and then went lame, but I was pleased to hear it was not the same cause which enabled him to be purchased as a yearling for the;ridiculously low sum of 35gs. He then appeared to have a shoulder ailment, and I understand it was caused bj a kick. I fancy MiMartin thinks she will come all right with a rest. Mr Martin stated that he was afraid he would not be able be present at the Grand National meeting, although he would make big attempts to get there in time. Before he left he saw Mr G. Cutts, who is training Impulse for the C.udfield Cup, and says the old veteran was looking and enjoying splendid health.

The work at Ellerslie is now gradually becoming interesting. Major George was down to witness a set-to between Fiesole and Coalscuttle this morning. The latter had most to say. At finish they wore assisted by Nile, a bay half brother to the two former, by Nelson, and, believe me, this geld ing has not only a nice style of going but is furnishing into a nice cut of a horse. Pegasus, the two-year-old son of Nelson and Tenambra shows great promise, being as quick off the mark as could be wished, with a splendid style of going. St. Hippo, The Dancer, and Fajwlous have been doing some strong work of late, and after one gallop I saw I fancy St. Hippo will be seen at his best up to a mile and a-half. The Dancer _ is the most improved horse I have seen, not only in conformation, but in style of going, having thrown off the high fighting action in the front, and if it were not for a peculiar knee, due, I think, to too much "work as a youngster, he would have furnished into a great racehorse. I only hope he will remain sound until be is a five-year-old, as he has undeniable pace. It seems to me New Zealand suffered a great loss when Sword Dance died, as out of the few mares he served nearly every one of the progeny has been able to gallop — viz., Thanie, Tulloch, Woodbine, and The Dancer. Kiug Cannibal, who was so severely hurt, is again working at Ellerslie, but goes very short and sore, and will take some time to recover. The A.R.C. annual meeting was held yesterday. Of the two new members who contested, Mr R. Garrett was elected, while Mr E. W. Alison was at the bottom of the poll. Major George and Mr G. Marshall were not satisfied with the way in which the club has been run, but being in the minority, they were powerless to carry any reforms. Mr Wilson took exception to the A.R.C. having infringed the rules by holding six meetings in the year, but as the sixth was the farewell to Lord Onslow, it was a most unsportsmanlike quibble to have raised the point, more especially as Lord Onslow distinctly told the stewards they could not have chosen a nicer way of saying goodbye to him. Mr Devore, a lawyer, talked about centralising racing, but as most of our country club 3 were in full swing before he put a foot in Auckland, I think there would be a terrible hue and cry if it were attempted. Within a certain radius of the city— say 15 miles— it might, however, do good. For instance, without the Takapuna, Avondale, Otaliubu, and Onehunga Clubs, and centralise it all at Ellerslie. I can picture Mr Uevore trying it on. "Beautiful," would be the word.

Mr Janies Kean has taken up Tamar and Yattagan with a view to spring engagements. A boxing match between W. O'Brien and G. Poultridge for LlO a-side has beeu fixed for the 2(ith September, articles having been signed and stakes lodged with Mr P. Gallagher, of the British Hotel.