AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 34

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa. Auckland, May 11. Training work is looking up &t Ellorslie in view ol thp winter meetinga at headquarters and at Takapnna. The ptinoipal tasks are of course over ■jumps, and the bulk of the howes exercising over hurdles are new aspirants for fencing honours. As Intiinattd in last week's despatch, paucity of decent hurdlers locally has induced several owners to try their fate as racers at the illofitmate game, and many of tbem are shaping vei-y well, notably Miss Nelson and Webley. Grenadier made his debut at the Avondale meeting as a fencer, and gave promise of turning out a good one. The Oaator gelding Three Star, now located in John {Rae's i table, has been over hurdles frequently during the past week, and jumps fairly well. This son of Oastor has had a disappointing career since ie wou the A.R.O. Champagne' Stakes as a two-year-old old, bnt he may turu out better bow thtit ie is to stick to jumps, as he has all the cut of a iencar. Although Acone and Panoply have been '•entered for our Grand National Hurdle Race 1 iavenot seen George Wrigifc jumping them at EUerslie, to I conclude they will remain at flat racing. As regards Fabulist, his entry for the National Hurdles would seem to be a direct contradiction to the statement made by his trainer Jreoently to th« effect that the calt would be given a rest till next season and then be entered for the New Zealand Cup. Local papers credit htm with having shown marked ability over the small Bticliß, but as Fabulist is trained privately no reliance eaa be placed en the reports, which are merely hearsay. Personally I do not believe Fabulist is to be jumped. If he is hfs conn ections have little regard for their money bags or their horse, for he well deserves a rest after his arduous season's racing. With an eye on the New Zealand Cup the Fabulist party are not likely to race him over fences. The real reason of the report may be that they desire the public to think that ss the horse is being put over jumps he must necessarily lone some of his pace. Pnntera are already betttcg on the Great Northern Steeplechase and Hurdle double, although the weights for the races »re Dot yet declared, 160 to 200 to 1 being given, and the books ara doing big business. The Auckland Racing Club Committee have decided to depart from their form r attitude respecting tbe forfeit list in order to compel payment of arrears. They resolv«d at their meeting last week that unless owners pay up the arrears standing in their name by the 15th inst they will lie placed on the forfeit list. The A.R.O. Committee have removed the dlspurification from Jessica, Donald M'Leod, Cloudshot, and Helena for, runniug at unregistered meetings. Bootless win in the Egmont Stveplech&oe gives him 71b penalty for the Waogauui Steeplechase, his weicht for which k now 11.0. Another attempt is to be m«de at Wanganui to train Fraternite, who will be tried over hurdles. Tbe A.R.C. vrill make about' £000 over its Autumn meeting. The Takapuna handicapper apparently did not take kindly to Doneld M'Kiunon'ii display in the Avond»le Hurdles, fn which, it will be remembered, he carried 12.12, and after going out a redhot favourtte rau off at t>e second hurdle. In the I Takapuna Hurdles Bf'Knight has 1 given him 13 0 In spite of the fact that the company is twice as jtrong as was the case at Avondale. Adam Byers's stable was strengthened this week by the addition of Ilia Worship (by Brigadier— Friendship), who has beon turned out for the last two seasons at Alison Bros. ' stud. There Is no truth ia the statement that the Hoa. Ormonde Martyrdom is to be put to the jumping game. 3lr Cooper, Of Napier, has purchased the B'oul- j shot toTBe Waitanei. He will not be raced, his owner having bought him for hacking. Mr John Close, president of the Napier P^rk Raciog Club, hiis gone oa a trip to Sydney and Melbourne for the benefit of lm health. The Napier Park Club has decided to exclude bookmakers from its meetings.