AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2014, 29 September 1892, Page 29

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

(Fhom Oub Own CobbesfondentO Auckland, September 27.

At a meeting of the Thames Club's committee the action of the Auckland R.C. in declining to pass the programme for the 26th aud 27th December was spoken of as most arbitrary, as these two days are about the only general holidays observed by miners throughout the year, so that the meeting could not be successfully held on any other day. Representation to that effect was made, and the A.R.C. decided upon allowing the Thames Jockey Club to hold their meeting as heretofore. The Gisborne R.C. programme for November 9 was passed, and it was also decided during Colonel Boyle's visit to Auckland to request the patronage of Lord Glasgow for tho A.R.C. Summer meeting. The steeplechaser Stepper left by the steamer on Monday last for Wellington en route to India. Tattersall's Club held their meeting to-day, and the balance sheet was most satisfactory. The secretary, Mr H. H. Hayr, informs mo that since the billiard room has been opened the membership has increased considerably, and that the club is in a sound financial position. I happened to meet Mr J. B. Williamson to-day. He was introducing the Brigadier colt out of Victress to the rules of the road, inasmuch as he held a pair of driving lines in his hands and followed him " after the manner of a ploughman." Victress, the dam of this colt, is half sister to one of the be3t mares in the Wellington Park Stud. I allude to Vivandiere. Mr D. Scott, of Rangitikei, will be pleased to hear that the red roan colt from Vivandiere by Castor is the finest of the season, more particularly as he owns a full brother to Vivandiere. Numerous sportsmen in the South have queried the breeding of this mare's dam. I allude to Georgie. As a breeding student of considerable experience, the conflicting point I would point out has simply occurred through nomenclature. My southern readers wilt understand me when I say I have proved that Young Althea has nothing to do with Georgie. It is the old mare Althea, the dam of some of the best horses foaled in this colony, who is the dam of Georgie. Some quasi sportsmen in Napier state that old Georgie is not clean bred. The wish is, however, father to the thought. It would take more than four figures to obtain Vivandiere from Mr Morrin, as next to Frailty I consider her the most valuable mare in his stud. Who can remember Dhuc an Dhurras, Syren, and Dainty Ariel without bearing me out. Although the former, in going to champion New Zealand against Australia, was drowned, the latter was a great racehorse and a wonderful success at the stud. Albeit I think Dhuc an Durras was a faster and better stayer than old Dainty, and that is no small circumstance

The Victress colt has had his name altorcd to Bogus. Veneration, by Patriarch from Fides, has foaled a colt to Hotchkiss, as also has Tasmania. The latter is by Manuka from Zillah (Tasman's dam). I hear that Mr Nathan's horse Fabulous is a great jumper, but a still gieater rofiie, and that no reliance can be placed on him. This is a great pity, as he is extraordinary, fast if he is taken in the humour.

I refrained from commenting on the American importation Albert Victor last week as ho was in quarantine. He is certainly a valuable addition to our trotting clubs, inasmuch as he is well bred from a trotting standard point of view. Mr Morrin reports that at Wellington Park lie has 13 foals— eight colts and five fillies. Hilda has missed, but the old celebrity Frailty and her bumping great daughter Cissy are both heavy in foal. A priceless gem like Frailty is only obtained about once in a lifetime. At the special horse sale held by Mr J. M'Nicol, of Cam jridge, on Wednesday last, the jumping horses Onslow and Selwyn, formerly the property of Mr W. Thornton, changed hands, both being bought with their engagements by Mr Richard Williams, of Auckland— Onslow at ' 185gs and Selwyn at6ogs. Impulse and The Workman, with Mr Geo. Cutts, have arrived all safe. George Wright left for Napier on Thursday last by the s.s. Waihora with The Dancer and St. Hippo for the purpose of assisting at the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club meeting, which opens at Hastings on the 3rd prox. As I have already informed you, thesehorses are " cherry ripe," and both fit and well they should give a good account of themselves. In fact the Guineas will have to produce a St. Andrew to haul St. Hippo's flag down. „ , . . „ Mr *Evett proceeds to Napier by next week s Bteamer, and at the conclusion of the Hawke's Bay gathering he will cross to Wanganui, subsequently proceeding to Christchurch with a view to witnessing the racing at the C.J.C. meeting in November. „,,,,.,. .. , j. The Trotting Club held their meeting last Saturday. It was a genuine success, the weather being fine, and about 1200 persons attending. The feature of the meeting was the trotting of Rarus in the Wheel Race, giving the limit horse 63sec in two miles and a-half and winning easily. The sum of L 2053 in 10s tickets went through the machine. The biggest dividend of the day was L 9 15s, paid over Robin in the Pony Tramway Handicap, which he won by a head from Pica, who was giving him no less than 3st. Pica,

further showed what a great pony he is by running second in the Pony Hurdles to Minnie Grey, giving her a couple of stone. Mr J. Forth's brood mare Sweet Lavender dropped a fine bay filly foal to Nelson at Lake Takapuna on Monday last. George Wright tells me that he doeß not intend to race Stanmoor agftin this season. Madcap (dam of Morion), who has joined tho Wellington Park stud, has produced a colt foal to the Dauphin. This season she visits Castor.

Mr J. Fortb's mare My Queen has dropped a colt foal to Retrenchment.