AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 38

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Bt Taihoa.

The two concluding days' racing in connection ■with the Auckland Racing Club Autumn meeting have been brought off since my last budget, •nd on both occasions— Tuesday and Saturday —the metropolitan body was favoured with fine weather and satisfactory attendances.

On Tuefiday the sum of £6389 and on Saturday £8931 was passed through the totalisators, thus bringing the total for the three days up to £25,686, which is £736 in advance of the Bum handled at the corresponding meeting last year. This is a fresh record for the club. The fields were disappointingly small on the second day, yet, when the racing was over, tho weight adjuster (Mr Evett) had all the best of it, the finishes being close and interesting, and the dividends satisfactory. A start was made on the second day with tho Stewards' Handicap, of one mile and a distance. The five coloured on the card weighed out. Waiorongomai was the chosen of tho punters, and certainly as the mare filed out of the birdcage she looked nono the worse for her Monday's exertions, but when she moved past, in her preliminary she showed signs of Boreness. Canopus was first prominent when the barrier flew up, and the bay son of Castor was responsible for the running right round to the home turn, where he was seen to be in difficulties, and ihe favourite, closing up momentarily, flattered the hopes of her supporters, only to dash them again to the ground at the Derby stand, where Ryan was hard at her. Hero Tauhei dashed up, but in trying to get inside St. Ursula Gallagher was slipped up, and having to pull out again, the three-year-old daughter of St. Leger and Satanella lasted lone enough to laud the stake by » head from.

the coastal horse. The time was Stain 1 S-ssec, and the dividend- £ll lls. The victory of St. Ursula was a popular one, as old John Chaafe has not experienced a kindly turn of Dame Fortune's wheel for come time past.

Four was the main for the Ellerslie Handicap, six furlongs, The Labourer finding most support. Blue Cap jumped away with the lead when the barrier went ur>. and carried them along at a merry bat to the home turn, where The Labourer put in his challenge, and although running wide in the straight, the favourite had the question settled just inside the Derby stand, and drawing out in good style won by two lengths from Blue Cap. Time, lmin 18 2-6 sec. Dividend, £2 ss. The winner, who was bred privately by Major George at Wapiti, and is by The Workman out of Sister Agnes, is a well-set-up youngster, who promises to furnish into something out of the ordinary as a three-year-old.

The chief event was the Autumn Handicap, of SOOaovs, one mile and a-half, for which the somewhat disappointing field of .half a dozen sported Bilk, Battleaxe being sorted out by investors as the picS of the bunch, while Rex, who has never proved himself over a mile and a-half, was made second favourite. The field was slipped to a beautiful start, and in the run past the stand the first time Auld Reekie held a commanding lead, which she maintained until the lost seven furlongs were entered upon. Heje Coronet, who had been running well up from the start, set out to lessen the gap separating him from the daughter of Cuirassier. Coronet was in the van as they emerged from the cutting, and the handsome little Eon of Castor, running most kindly, strode away from his opponents, eventually winning his race by a couple of lengths. There was a most exciting set-to between Explosion and Battleaxe for second honours, and that pair. finished so close together that it was impossible to, say how the judge's verdict would be given/ Explosion obtained the position by the shortest of heads. The winner, who is a four-year-old son of Castor and Necklace, was very well treated with 7.12, and would doubtless have found larger support but for the element of uncertainty that always attaches to his running, as, despite great doings on the track, he has more than once disappointed his party when asked to toe the mark. On Tuesday, however, he ran most generously throughout, and 'he time, 2min 38 4-ssec, dearly demonstrated that he can gallop^ when he likes. Five weighed out for the Autumn Hurdle Race, two miles, Bellman, who must have finished closer up on the first day but for the accident that befell him, being made a slightly better favourite than Nor'-west. When the third fence was reached Dentist, who had been making the running, made a faulty jump, and came down, bringing with him. Tim, thus leaving the settlement ox the question in the hands of Cairo, Nor'-west, and Bellman. All three were in it when they ran up to the sixth obstacle, but here the favourite, who looked full of running, shattered the hopes of his followers by making a wretched jump, which lost him several lengths, and left Cairo and Nor'-west bowling along together in the lead. Cairo looked to have a trifle the best of it as they rounded the home turn and raced to the last obstacle, but Nor'-west soon settled all doubts, for, landing first over the hurdle, the Sou'wester gelding fairly romped away from the Taranaki horse, scoring by half a dozen lengths. Time, 3min 66sec. Dividend, £3 6s.

Eight lined up for the Flying Handicap, sis furlongs, Lillie being accorded pride of place on the totalisator, while after her Eton was most liked. After a few strides of the journey had been traversed, Faugh-a-Ballagh shot into the lead, and there he continued until within a few strides of the post, when Eton got on terms with him, and the son of Castor, otickiug most gamely to his task, wore down his opponent and secured the judge's verdict by a short neck. Faugh-a-Ballagh'a running was in marked contrast to his display on the preceding day in the Railway Handicap, in which race he occupied a rear berth all through the journey. Time, lmin 16 2-ssec. Dividend, £4.

Of the eight candidates sporting silk for the Pony Handicap, of six furlongs, The Slave was the popular pick, but Cuisine, who was quickest on her legs, made the running right through and lasted long enough to win by half a length from Edison. Time, lmin 18 2-ssec. A protest was entered against the winner, who is a four-year-old daughter of Cuirassier out of Vasator, on the ground that she had run under another name at the Northern Wairoa Club's meeting, and the stakes and dividend were impounded, pending investigation. Tho matter was fully inquired into during the course of the week, and a communication from the secretary of the Northern Wairoa Club (Mr F. Beart) to the effect that the name under which she had run (Cuirassier) was merely a typographical- error, being considered satisfactory, the dividend was ordered to be paid out, and the stakes were handed over. Dividend, £8 3s.

The Shorts Handicap, of five furlongs, at■frracted the good field of 11, Dayntree heading the investments. Faugh-a-Ballagh was in front before they had gone many strio.es, and the son of Vanguard, making the pace hot, was still bowling along in front as they rounded the home turn. At the distance the field bunched up, and quite half a dozen were in it, but when the main stand was reached Faugh-a-Ballagh cried content, leaving Seahorse and Rosella at th bead of affairs. A couple of stride* further on Rofcella was seen to swerve, and losing ground, allowed Seahorse to snatch a neck victory. Time, lmin 3 3-ssec. Dividend, £7 16s. Immediately after the race the stewards were called together for the purpose of considering an objection lodged by Mr A. Davis, acting for Mr L. D. Nathan, against Seahorse being declared the winner on the ground of interference, it being alleged that his rider (W- Gall) had struck Rosella over the head with his whip. J. Buchanan, the rider of Rosella, stated that Mr Nathan's filly was struck more than once. Gall, being called before the stewards, stated that Seahorse was swerving, and that he had to use his whip to keep him straight. In swinging the whip round, he felt it strike something, but if Rosella was struck it was unintentional on his part. The stewards after considering the matter disallowed the objection. There is no question as to Roeella having been struck, her near eye showing unmistakable signs of a blow. The daughter of Seaton Delaval, it was pointed out by Mr Davis, was running on the outside of Seahorse, and it is contended that Gall's whip must have been swung right lound to hit her. Unintentional or not, the interference, it is held, cost Mr Nathan's filly the ra«e. The affair is much to be regretted, for it marred to some extent what was otherwise a most enjoyable afternoon's sport.

Eleven again faced the starter in ihe concluding race of the day, the Welter Handicap, of one mile. Sylvia Park was served v.p as the correct pea, and although Miss Emmy was responsible for a bound pace for the best part of the journey, she faded out at the business end, and the St. Leger — Atalanta hor.=e, putting in his claim at the Derby stand, came on and won >'ith something to spare by a length from St. Ursula. Time, lmin 44 3-s°cc. Dividend, £3

The third day's sport opened with the Maiden Hurdles, of a mile and three-quarters. The public tumbled over one another to get their shekels on Faugh-a-Ballaph, who on his running during the previous day was looked unon as a snip. Calculators were, however, badly upset, the winner turning up in Drum Major who collared the favourite at the fifth jump and never after giving the opposition a chance won hands down by three lengths from Tip, Faiigh-a-Ballagh, ♦aaeoT'vp, finishing fourth. Time,

3nnn 25sec. Dividend, £18 6s. Drum Major, who is a powerful-looking three-year-old son of Cuirassier, galloped like a tradesman, and should prove an acquisition to our deplenished ranks of jumpers.

Five went out for the Handioap Hurdles, two miles, Cairo, who carried the stiff impost of 11.5, gaining most admirers. When the tape went up Bellman was the first to move, and with Opou and Cairo as his nearest attendants, made all the running, only allowing Cairo to draw up alongside at the last obstacle on sufferance. Mr Hannon's gelding, fencing cleanly, moved away from the field on the run home, winning by the best part of four lengths from Nor'-west, Cairo, who showed signs of distress, being beaten for second place by Nor'-weßt, who came with a rattle -ftp the straight. Time, 3min 54sec. Dividend, £5 16s. The winner, who is a six-year-old son of Tetford and Orphan, finished up full of running.

The race of the day, the St. George Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, saw the nine coloured on the card go to the post, the top weight, Douglas, being a strong tip, with Battle«co as next; but the favourite was, however, doomed to have bad luck, having all the worst of the deal when the barrier was raised, while again, after making up a lot of ground as they ran down the top stretoh to the straight, the eon of Crawford Priory had to pull out just below the main stand to avoid a collision, losing fully two lengths just when he looked like flattering the hopes of his supporters. This allowed Battleaxe, who had occupied a handy position right through, and came with a wet sail in the last few strides, t oscore a winning bracket, Douglas two lengths away. Time, 2min 10 2-ssec. Dividend, £5 ss. Battleaxe, who was well ridden by Creamer, is a compact,, racy-looking bay gelding by Hotchkiss — Queen Cole. Lena was fastened upon as good goods for the Pony Handicap, five furlongs, which attracted a field of eight, Roy also finding a large measure of support. The latter, who ian into the lead before a couple of furlongs had been traversed, nevor left the issue in doubt a easily staving off a challenge by Edison in the straight and winning by a length. The favourite was never in the hunt. Time, lmin 5 4-ssec. Dividend, £4, 13s. . A largo amount of interest was centered in the Criterion Handicap, six furlongs, Sylvia Park going to the post favotirite, while JDayntree and Miss Delaval also found plenty of supporters. The colours of Miss Emmy were first intc prominence when £he field was despatched on their journey, and, with Miss Delaval and the favourite, a couple of lengths away, carried on the running until halfway down the straight, where Miss Delaval closed up, and, drawing on terms with the daughter of Cuirassier inside the main stand, the brilliant little filly, finishing with great gameness and as straight as a gun barrel, gained a verdict by three part 3of a length; Sylvia Park a length away in third place. Time, lmin 1G l-ssec. Dividend, £5 14s. The perfoimance of the speedy little daughter of Seaton Delaval and Campania was full of merit. Five faced the music in the Second Welter Handicap, of one mile and a distance, Cavalier being seived up at an odds on favourite. Lieutenant was quickest on his feet, and, with Thelnia and the favourite lying handy, cut out the pace until they opened out into the straight, where he hoisted the signal of distress, leaving the finish to Thelnia, Shylock, and Cavalier. When the distance was reached Creamer moved on the top-weight, and although Thehna made a final bid just inside the Derby stand, Creamer had no difficulty m landing the five-year-old f-on of Cuirassier a length winner from the daughter of Vanguard. Time, 2min 2 2-ssec. Dividend, £1 18f.

Oingo was the popular pick of the eight starters who filed out for the Grand Stand Handicap, of seven furlongs. Tauhei jumped into the lead at the outset, but was steadied when the ' first three furlongs had been left behind, leaving Firefly and Oingo in the van, while Rex was lying fourth and Lillie fifth. There was no material alteration through the top stretch, but once their heads were fairly tiirned for home Tauhei closed up, and when they neared the main etsuid there was little or nothing between the five named. Here, however. Tauhei again asseited herself, and, coming with a determined rattle on the rails, gained a length verdict from Firefly, Lillie a neck away in third place. Time, lmin 28 3-ssec. Dividend, £7 Bs. Tauhei is a six-year-old daughter of Castor and Vivandiere, of good proportions, and with a close-io-the-ground business-like style of galloping.

The curtain was rung down on the meeting with the' Victoria Handicap, of five furlongs, for two-year-olds. Of a field of four Seahorse was most to the liking, but the favourite lost all chance of winning by swerving as the barrier flew up, and .running down the tapes, losing fully seven lengths at the start. Rosella and Bluecap alternated the running, the Pater beinj* in front as they entered the straight. Rosella, however, came with a rush at the Derby Stand, -,and proved that she carried too many guns for the Muskapeer gelding by scoring comfortably by over a length, Seahorse, who had been making up his ground right through like a raoehorse, finishing well up third, taking up his task in a most resolute style, and showing plainly that he would have had to bo accounted for "but for his ill-luck at the start. Time, lmin 4 l-59ec. Dividend, £2 Bs.

Mark Ryan, the Queensland jockey, who, during a short residence in Auckland has ridden several winning mounts, including the speedy Miss Delaval, and has proved himself a good horseman, talks of returning to Australia at an early date, but may return to Auckland again next season.

While being conveyed in a punt across the Northern Wairoa for the purpose of competing at the Dargaville meeting the other day, the Auckland stallion Rebel injured himself badly, the result of his playing up, and had to be returned home. The son of St. Lcger, who is a most obstreperous passenger, knocked himself about badly last January when being taken to Whangarei. Miss Anna, the daughter of St. Hippo and Anna, is in a bad state, and is not expected to recover. The supposition is that she was poisoned during hpr recent trip to Paeroa. Kereru, a marc by Cuirassier from Sunrise, and a candidate foi the Maiden Handicap honours at the A R.C. Autumn meeting, overreached herself while jumping on the Devonport course during the week, cutting the sinews of one of her legs very badly. It :s not pxpected that the daughter of Cuirassier will ever race again.

Prior to the running of the Autumn Handicap on Tuesday, it got about that an agent acting on behalf of the Hon. H. Mossman had offered .£250 for Coronet, delivery to be given after the race. Tne offer was understood to have been accepted, but something seems to have cropped up to prevent the business being clofed, as nothing further has been heard of the deal. News comrs from Ohacwai. where the hurdler St. Simon has Yon in retirement at Mr D. M'Kinnon's farm for some time past, that the big horse is quite sound again, and will probably be ?eon out at our big jumping meeting in ■Tuiip. Ron Godfrey went amiss on Monday last when contesting thp Easter Handicap. The balance of Me=srs Nathan's Sylvia Pnrk yearling* were without reserve on Friday last at Iluntei s-nrl Nolan's yard The four voiing=ters v.,0 r'ahn<>rl Migasrempnt", Iho liabilities ranpintr f'om £IS to £19 ea^h, brought 102g.°. or nn nvcrrqe of OVrjs apifte. A brown filly by St. Hipi:c — LiquMatior went to John Rao, the well-known Ellershe trainer, at 45gs,

a brown gelding by St. Leger — Sunbeam to O'Ryan at 40gs, a bay filly by St. Hippo — Ellerslio to S. B. Massey at llgs, and a bay filly by St. Hippo — Waitemata to Mr R. Ash at 6gs. A chestnut yearling fllry by St. Leger — Bellona sold at the same time brought 23gs, Mr Dan M'Leod being the purchaser of this lot, and the gelding Acone, by St. Leger — Aconite, was sold for 18gs, the purchaser being Mr A. Selby. Messrs Buckland and Sons offered several horses on behalf of the Hon. H. Mosman, who evidently intends to get rid of all the commoners in his possession and fine his string down to a select few. Bidding, however, was very slack, the only sale effected being of Banjo, a big brown gelding by Cuirassier^ — Katipo, who became the property of Mr Finnerty, of Waitara, at 23gs. . Wellington, by Castor— Lady Wellington, offered on behalf of Mr J. S. Bradley, went to Mr Anne at 16gs. Penciller Mr Dan M'Leod netted over £800 on the win of his filly Miss Dolavel in the Champagne Stakes of the opening day of the Auckland Racing Club. Besides backing her for a tidy sum, Mr M'Leod fielded the supposed good thing Rosella till the " cows came home."

Yesterday several of the thoroughbreds owned by the Hon. Hugh Mosman, of Queensland, were shipped to Australia by the s.s. Waihora, under the charge of Mr W. Blacklock, by whom_they will be trained on the other side. The horses shipped were the yearling Circe, by Castor— Cissy ; Antares, by Castor — Hilda; Mursella, by Cuirassier — Muriel; Hazeline, by St. Leger— Hazel; Simon, by Nelson — Fiesole; and Adrina, by St. Leger — Aida.