AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 31

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa.

Auckland, February 7.

Our coursing club is again in full swing. An All-aged Unlimited Stake of £2 10s, and a Maiden Stakes, also unlimited, of £1 10s, for dogs that have never received any money from an adver tised stakes, will be run on May 2 and 5.

I regret to report that Mr J.-B. Williamson has lost the- three-year-old son of The DauphinPastime. He was a magnificent-looking colt. It appears he got out of the paddock on to the railway crossing, with the usual result.

George Wright has been breaking in the Formo filly, also the Punga colt. The yearlingß both look well, and take very kindly to the handling business.

The usual monthly meeting of the committee of the Auckland Racing Club was held yosterday afternoon, when the following programmes were passed :— Oxford, March 17 ; Avondale, April 14 ; Paeroa, March 17 ; Mauku, April 6 ; Raglan, February 16. Jockey licenses were granted to H. Barry, Win. Gall, and Thomas Ward.

In connection with the A.R.C. Winter meeting the committee decided to expusge the Ladies' Bracelet and the Hunters' Welter Handicap and insert a pony hurdle race each day of BOsovs. Great attempts have been made to alter the dates of the Easter meeting, without avail. The idea was to put it off three weeks later, and give southern horses a chance.

The recent running of Mascotte at the Otahubu Trotting Club meeting has been fully investigated by the committee, and after a large number of witnesses had been examined, it was resolved— " That the evidence before the stewards does not justify them in taking any further action." I pointed out this peculiar thing in my full report, and I feel sorry the A R.C. stewards did not see their way to protect the public in a more forcible manner than by a mere resolution.

This week Adam Byers brought his recent purchase, the colt by St. Leger— Friendship (named St. RegaJ), from Brown's Island. By the s.s. Waihora, which arrived from the south yesterday, Harry Harrison returned to Auckland and.brought Pegasus with him. Major George informs me if he had been remaining in New Zealand, and likely to see the Dunedin Cup meeting, Pegasus would have been a sure starter. The major further informs me that he will not offer any more youngsters for sale. He is quite satisfied with Nelson's stock, and will race them himself. Bravo 1 major. We have not seen the best of Pegasus. The Dancer and Royal are doing good work, and both going sound. All our Auckland entries, owing to one of Captain "Headwind's" busters, are put out of court for the Otago meeting. "Headwind" might cable to the other nominators and ask that all be permitted to join in the race. Joking apart, it is a very severe blow to our northern owners ; and if the various secretaries were more in touch with one another, the entries at the various metropolitan clubtt' offices would hold good. At the very time these entries were baulked the Auckland R. C. was trying to devise some means so as not to clash with southern fixtures. A good spirit, all must admit. Are there any sportsmen south who will move that all entrieß received too late for the meeting be received ? Mr Laurie's Malua fifty Lady M;arion ha 3 been turned'out for a spell. , The steeplechase mai^e Cra?y Kate has changed hands, Adam Byers, who had befin leasing her, having purchased her outright. D. M'Kenna's horses Dark Rose and Resurrection returned to Waikato this week. All going well, it is very probable that Ben Godfrey, Stanmoor, and Three Stars will journey to Christchurch in the autumn to fulfil their engagement's in the Challenge Stakes. Pansy, by King Quail,— Winnie, 'followed in the footsteps of h,er bro.ther Belmont in winning at the first; attempt over "-the small sticks." This is a m,are— young, certainly, fou,t worth buying for cross-country \\ork. The following are the winning payments at the Takapuna meeting ;— MrD. Knight, £247 ; Mr R. Henwood, £85 10s; Mr J. Sutton, £7U,; Mr E. C. lloch, £76; Mr R. Burke, £6<i lOs-, Ux J. Lennard, £71 5s ; Mr J. Forth, £47 19s ; Mr Way Chapman, £42 15? ; Colonel Fijaser, £28 lQs ; Mr W. MacMinamin, £38 10a ; Mr J.. Thorpe.' £23 15s; Mr Ross Heaton, £19 •, and smaller sums, making altogether a' total of £874. The nominations for the Great Northern Foal Stakes and Great Northern Derby, to be run. at the A.R.C Summer meeting in 1895-96, haye been posted. In the Foal Stakes there are 109 entries, of which number M^ Morrin is the largest; contributor with 28 to his credit. The Derby nominations number 73. The Hon. J. D. Ormond and Mr G. G. Stead figure' as the largest nominators, having seven representatives respectively. A couple of Auckland painters were fortu.na.te enough to draw the winner in the Sydney Tatter-, sail's sweep on the Annivarsary Handicap, ltj ia expected they will divide about £2000,