AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 37

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa.

November 25. The opening meeting of the Auckland trotting season was held at Pottei'a paddock last Saturday under most favourable circumstances. Tha gathering was one of the most successful ones ever held under the auspices of the club, and speaks well for the club's prospects during the rest of tha season. Seldom, if ever, has there been such a gathering at Potter's paddock, and every event gave riso to good raciog. During the day .£2161 was put through the machine. This amount ia more than £500 better than was handled at last year's Spring meeting. The principal event was the Spring Trot, of 50sovs, two miles, which was reckoned a good thing for Katie M , but she broke badly throughout, and was never in a position to concede 4b'sec to Disappointment. The last«~ named had the race settled a quarter of a mile from home, but slowed down to such an extent that, although he was an easy winner 25yds from the post, a break within 10yds of the judge's box enabled Otira to creep up and beat him in the last stride. Time, fimin OJsec. Dividend, £2 17«. Tbe mile and a-half Harness Trot was a gift to Katie M , who trotted the distance in s ruin 19sea without a slip, and won as she liked, Tom Hicka and Commodore being in the places. The admirera of Katie M. backed her so persi«tentlv that the dividend only amounted to 15s. The Maiden Trot was a good thing for Otira, who won as the liked in 3min 9Jsec. In the pony events Helena carried off the bulk of the honours by annexing the double of Hurdles and Tramway Handicap. In the Hurdle Race she won with great ease from Butter* fly. Penguin, and four others ; and in the Tramway Handicap she beat the favourite, Pica, by a bare haft length after a good fight up the btraight. Th« first event of the day, the Maiden Pony Race, gave rise to a big surprise, the rank outsider, Sultan, beating the favourite, Butterfly, by a head, and paying £31 18s for 10s. 'Jhc meeting served to introduce the Acme starting machine, patented by Mr George E lis, owner of Popgun. The machine is superior to all its rivals in sim> plicity and accuracy, and has g vim complete satisfaction wherever tried. Lady Marion was sold a few days ago for £100. Mr D. M. M'Leod intends Bending Osculatot and Lady Marion to Australia after tbe former has fulfilled his engagement in the Great Northern Derby, which he arrives to carry out by the next Australian boat. The following foalings have been reported since my last : — Bangle (by Mu*ket — Locket), a filly to St. Legor ; Batista (Musket— Ouida), a colt to Sfc. Leger. I understand from a good source that Mr Gollan's horses are coming over to compete at the Summer meeting, and that Percy Maitin will arrive with them about December 2. It is expected that the Auckland Racing Cluh will make about £400 profit over its last meeting.