AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2359, 11 May 1899, Page 38

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Bt Taihoa.

Lillie and Glenlora have found most favour with double investors for the Takapuna Handicap and Steeplechase, and are quoted at 100 to 5, while other combinations that have been supported for small amounts are Coronet and Eiot at 100 to 4, Doctor and Glenlora at 100 to 5, Firefly and Glenlora 100 to 5, and Doctor and Riot at 100 to 4.

St. Olga, the yearling filly sister to St. Paul and almost a counterpart of her brilliant relative, has been leased by Secretary Percival to John Chaafe and will be taken in hand by the veteran trainer in the course of a few days.

I see that the Canterbury Club has decided to increase the New Zealand Grand National meeting from two to three days. I would not be at all surprised to see the Auckland Club do likewise next season, as the matter was discussed when the programme foi the present season was considered, and met with considerable favour, the proposal being eventually shelved for 12 months.

The well-known North Shore sportsmen, the Messrs Duder Bros., have been very unfortunate with the daughters of the brood mare Anna. ,A bit back Lady Anna was killed through a collision while galloping on the Takapuna beach ; last week Miss Anna died from blood poisoning ; and now it is considered unlikely that Queen Ann will ever carry silk — the result of a severe kick on one of her hocks. Queen Ann was in appearance one of the likeliest looking youngsters the Duders have reared.

Nestor, who,after his severe race in the Takapuna Cup, was not seen out in the autumn and was subsequently blistered on the forelegs, is again on the Ellerslie track, and hopes are held out of his standing a preparation.

So far there ha 3 been no speculation of note here on the jumping double, Grand National Hurdles and Great Northern Steeplechase. At present, peucillers quote 100 to 4 on the field. Splinter if shaping very nicely in his preparation for our big jumping meet in June. The blistering of St. Paiil last January has resulted beneficially, as his legs have fined down ni|cely, and there is now a prospect that the game little fellow will again carry old John Chaafe's colours.

The St. Simon stallion Cyrenian, bought for Auckland by Mr Leonard Marshall, is expected to reach Wellington in one of the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamers about the 6th of Duly, and will be thence transferred immediately to Auckland. During the week L'ufra is said to-^-have changed, "hands, her destination being Fiji. The daughter of Flintlock and Pikau will lie raced in her new owner's colours at Takapurta before being shipped to the Islands. Mr R. Miller, who purchased the brood mare The Jilt at the Wellington Park sales some three years since, has found it necessary owing to adite rheumatism to destroy the daughter of Traducer and Fleurange. The Jilt proved herself a shifty customer but after her letirement to stud duties she threw winners in Folly and Eve.

A promi°ing-!ooking black yearling filly by the St. Simon horse Soult out of First Love will be taken in hand by J. C. Booth next week.

Secretary Hayr informs me that the Avondale Jockey Club will net considerably over £100 over its recent Autumn meeting. If the club continues in this successful vein it will devolve upon it to give a substantial increase of stakes next season. Jack Rae, the well-known trainer-jockey, has made a good recovery from his recent accident. The Atiokland Coursing Club received nominations for the New Lynn Maiden Puppy Stakes and Avondale Cup, to be run at the June Meeting, on Friday last, but the response is not such aB to cause the club to go into ec9tacies over the season's prospects — in fact, the sport seems to be on the down grade here, and J should not be at all surprised to see coursing abandoned in the near future unless more encouragement is offered by owners. Hares are also very scaice at present, and a number will have to be brought up from the South Island for next month.