AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 31

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Br Taihoa.

Juno 26. The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club delegates' proposal to be brought before the Wellington Conference has been well threshed out up here. The new rule asks the delegates to affirm that no steeplechase be run from November 15 to April 30 in each year. The real object of the proposal is to have a "close" season for'steeplechasing. I for one must agree with the Hawke's Bay Club. Meeting after meeting do the same number of crocks turn up, and a rest for a time might be granted with advantage, and then something like "chasers" of yore might be forthcoming. Mr Alexander Williams, who so successfully steered Despised in all his races, has severed his connection with Mr J. B. Williamson's stable. Williams has purchased the steeplechase horse Potentate. Its breeding is promiscuous on the dam's side, but Penrose, his sister, is by the old Christchurch champion Knottingly from Atalanta, dam of Hippomenes. He is only a pony, but a capital fencer up to lOst. Alexander Williams purposes trying his luck on the other side, but why on earth he did not buy the Taranaki mare Belle instead of the pony puzzles me. Mr J. J. Russell offered her at auction for £100, and Potentate cost nearly as much. But what a difference in class ! Mr "R. Burke" has named a couplp of his youngsters — the brown colt by Cuirassier from Hunehas been awarded the title of First Cuirassier, while the brown colt by Cuirassier from Dolosa will be known under the appropriate name of Cuirass. I fancy another colt has been awarded the latter name, consequently it must be changed. I have heard good reports of Havoc, who is nicely weighted in both Melbourne and Caulfleld Cups. Nordenfeldt from Frailty is pretty good running blood, and for a four-year-old the weight is handy. At a meeting of the committee of the Auckland Racing Club Messrs Kirkwood and Perceval were appointed to represent that body at the conference of racing clubs' delegates, which is to meet at Wellington some time during the month of July. As the present rules reLative to added money affect most of our suburban clubs— in fact, I say without hesitation, is killing them — I trust that some measures will be taken to enable the small fry to subsist, as practically' they are the main support of the larger clubs, and unless some mediation is granted it means wiping out some of the most popular country clubs. I may mention that only one suburban club has held its own under the present regulations, and that is the Takapuna Jockey Club. Old clubs like South Auckland and others are hardly holding their own. Consequently I trust southern delegates will use discretion as regards the amount of added money to be given. If reverting to the old rule were granted, all would be pleased. I hear a rumour that a certain New Zealand trainer is to be engaged for Mr W. R. Wilson at St. Albans, Victoria. Opinions differ as to who it is. CePtain parties state it is Kr B. Cutts ; others, Mr James Kean ; and still another party whispers Mr George Wright. I merely give the rumours for what they are worth. If Mr Kean's health is good, I fancy he will be the " correct pea."