AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2372, 17 August 1899, Page 37

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

5t Tathoa. August 34. Beyond the further support of Douglas ftt. a few hundreds, and c, couple of centuries lo" 18 about Explosion, there has been no wagering of note on the New Zealand Cup candidates in' the local ring. • The Auckland lot contluue to co on all" right, none looking better than the uncertain U>ronet who is at present n picture of health* and condition, whilst Explosion, Seahorse, andi.he Labourer are being treated to a sound preparation. Walking exercise was the extent of St. Paul s work during the past week. Ihe committee of the Avondale J.C. unfolded' a very satisfactory state of affairs to the members who attended the annual meeting on Jmday last. The report showed lhat the club had made great strides during the past 12 months, the revenue showing " n marked increase from all sources, the totalisator returns lor the two meetings held totting up to £15,072, as against .33833 for the preceding year, while tho added money given away was set down, at £1283 10s net. Close on £900 had been spent on improvements to the course, and s«ddlirig paddock, loose boxes, grand stand, etc., and the assets were shown as f 11*50 over liabilities as against £586 last yar. S*cretaiy 11. H. Hayr was given a pat on the back all roundfor tho manner in which ho had carried out his duties. The chairman (Mr M. Foloy) said a lot of vice things in a general way, windiu'" up by urging the incoming committee to exei° cisc economy during the next couple of years with a view to purchasing the ground which is held under a lease with a purchasing clause. The racing s6ason will open here with tho Avondale Jockey Club's Soring meeting, to be held on September 16 and 20. The gathering yvill "be looked "Torward to with considerable" interest, as some of the local New Zealand Cup candidates will take a band in the Avosidale Cup, of 150sovs, one mile and a-quarter, and several Auckland juveniles will make their debut in the race for the Avondale Stakes, o: 150sovs. The programmes for the Auckland Raoisg' Uu»j s 1399-1900 season were finally passed hy the -committee on Friday last. The added 1 , money to be given away amounts to £18,960. The amounts to be given at the Spring and" Summer fixtures stand a3 last season— viz . .53150 and £7710, but the Autumn meeting has jumped fr,om £3400 to £4500, and the Winter" meeting from £2500 to £2600. The new committee of the Auckland Racing Club have recognised the efforts of Handicapper J. G. Evett by increasing his salary from £200 to £250, while Secretary Percival has also had an additional £50 added, bringing his salary up to £"450 per annum. With the year just closed Mr Percival completed his silver secretaryship, or, in other words, his twenty-fifth year in office. Mr L. D. Nathan has been elected president of the Auckland Racing Club for the ensuing year. The choice is a happy one, as Mr Nathan, besides being a liberal supporter of tho turf, is one of Auckland's most popular men in racing circles. Puwerewere (Nordenfeldt — Pungawerewere), the full sister to Crackshot, has been brought up from Wanganui on a visit to the St. Simon sire Cyrenian. Foalings announced this week are: Mr Morrin's Lady Evelyn, a chestnut filly to Hotchkiss; Messrs Nathan's Jadestone, a filly to Seaton Delaval ; Sybil, a filly to Hotchkiss. I had a look at the imported English stallion Cyrenian at J. B. "Williamson's establishment at Ellerslie during the week, and must add my mite to the good things that have been said of the- son of St. Simon and Daisy Chain, as a horse- likely to prove, a valuable acquisi-tion--to ou-r best sires. Cyrenian, who bearfla blooming appearance despite his 12,000 miles' voyage, is a blood-like bay with black points," standing IShds Sin, and brimful of quality. An aristocratic head, with a fine wide fore-. 1 head of the intelligent order, and a pair of bold, courageous eyes first catch the attention of the clitic, who, on looking further back, finds nicely-set shoulders, a level back, and, loins chat indicate g'eat strength. His middle piece is well sprung and splendidly ribbed up. The understandings might perhaps please thohypercritical a little more were the pasterns a trifle shorter, but lengthy pasterns are a trait of the St. Simon family. Cyrenian may be summed up as a big little horse, brimful or good looks and quality, and he should certainly •;kiim the attention of breeders. While in- Wellington, looking after the stallion Cyrenian, J. B. Williamson purchased ft' four-year-old daughter of Natator. The unnamed half Bister of the Auckland Grand National winner, Shylock, will arrive here in the course of a few days. Tho committee of the Auckland R.C. evidently do not favourably regard .the proposal to increase the pony standard to 15 hands, asthe programme passed at last Friday's rueetiug leaves the height of the liliputiauß at 14.3. At a meeting of tho committee of the Auckland Trotting Club, hekl on Friday afternoon, Messrs W. Adams and C. Park, the delegates to the recent Conference, submitted their report, and, contrary to expectations, strongly recommended the club to join the New Zealand Trotting Association, the reason sot forth being that it would b» injurious to the sport to have a disagreement. Their recommendation, was adopted, and the club will therefore join the association. Mr G. G. Stead's brood mares, Corolla and Ich Dien, are on a visit to Ilotchkiss, at Wei-, lington Park. Joe Gallagher, the well-known Auckland ; horseman, will return from Sydney in the course of a week or two.