AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2210, 9 July 1896, Page 33

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa.

Auckland, July (L '

Speculation as to whether Gipsy Grand or Euroclydon was to hold pride of position in tho , New Zealand Cup has been set at re3t. A good deal of money changed hands here over the result. One well-known Dunedia commercial, who failed to see anything but Euroclydon at the top of tho ; list, has paid out to the tune of £50 on his • opinion. Auckland owners are all satisfied with their . weightings, and, if I may bo allowed to say so, those behind Fabulist have every reason to flatter themselves. Should the Great Northern Derby winner keep all right in his work I should not be surprised to see him play a prominent part in the setflinc of the big Now Zealand event. The North Shore stable's nomination is another , dangerous member. Southerners will find Anitu no slouch.

Punters still pin their faith to the top weights, and the local pencillers are booking very tidy lines at comparatively short prices about Gipjy Grand. St. Regel's party went down for a round lump sum over the fall of their candidatojn the Welter at Hawke's Bay the other d»y. One of the knowins ones lumpad £100 on it. The Napier-owned mare Tally-ho is still in Mr • T. D. Halstead's hands, but will be fit to be shipped home in a few days. Armilla and St. Paul are both wintering particularly well. The former is, I notice, engaged in the Hawke's Bay Guineas, but St. Paul, by somo unaccountable oversight, dees not appear in the nominations for that event. Willie Walters, of Glenora Park, Papakura," is said to be negotiating for the purchase of the three-year-old Cartridge (Carbine— St. Odille) for stud purposes. Though <l old Jack's" son has nob set the Thames on fire as a performer his blood should be all right, and happy results should ba brought about by hia importation as a sire. The well-known squire of Wapiti, Mayor George. ' who as you all know is retiring from the turf, did - not allow his trusty henchman 8 Harry Harrison, . to leave him without a substantial recognition in the form of a tidy cheque. Harrison is now. established in bis new quarters at the Harp of Erin Hotel,' Ellerslie, Armour, the three-year-old son of HotchkisT and Hipporina, brought back from Sydney a weekor two ago, has been blistered. ' Mr F. Andrews, a well-known West Coast turfite, intends sending Germaine (dam of The Miser) up this way shortly on a visit to either St. Leger or Hotchkiss. . . The Hawke's Bay chaser Kaika has been bought by Mr G. P. Donnelly.