AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 41

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa. February 5. The Takapuna Jockey Club's Summer meeting of three df>ys was bioughl to a close on Saturday last, the totalisator returns for the two remaining days bringing up the grand total investment to £26,169 — an increase on the preceeding year of £3769. The principal c\ ents of the second day (Wednesday) were the Takajjuna Jockey Club Handicap and the Handicap Steeplechase. Though the field in the former had dwindled down lo four, the starters being St. Uisula 8.7, The Doctor 7.12, St. Ona 7.9, and Auld Reekie 7.2, tho race nevertheless provided a good run. The Doctor, who had his full deserts, was the one most liked, and though he flattered the hopes of supporters during the early stage of the race tin extra poundage (a rise of 161b on his Cup weight) found out the son of Cuirassier a long way from home, and St. Ona won a good race by the best part of a length from St. Ursula. Had young Chaafe, on St. Ursula, gone up to his field a bit sooner, instead of taking liberties, the result would probably have been different; in fact, were the raco run again tomorrow I should say tho sister of St. Paul would be first past the post. Time, 2mm 13 2-ssec. There seemed some doubt as to whether Nor'-west would be set the big task with 13.5 upon a hard ground in the Steeplechase, about three miles and a-half; but when tho numbers were hoisted the name of the son of Sou- wester figured among the starters, and he was at onca installed a warm favourite. After contenting himself with a rearmost position for the first couple of circuits, he quickly silenced his stable companion, Crusado 10.10, anl won easily by three lengths. Volcano 10.2 finished third. The other starters were Opou 11.0 and St. Lemon 9.7, the former coming down and fracturing his shoulder in the last lound, while St. Lemon struck the second fence and also cams to grief. While the field was not a paifcicularly strong one, Nor'-west's performance stpmps him as a high-class horse over cross-country ; indeed, we have not looked upon his like since Levanter, and it is quilo open to question whether Levanter was as good as our piesent crack. Time, 7min 5-t 3-ssec. Opou, who had to be destroyed, was owned by Mr W. A. Phillips, and during his time has won one or two good races. Though his value would not be set down at more than a centuiy, still we can ill afford to lose steeplechasers, in view of the present dearth. Aleger's wiu in the two-year-old race on the opening day caused the daughter of Si. Leger to be the one most fancied for the Hobson Handicap, but she had gone up to 8.13, an inciease of 151b, and the weight found her ou'. She was not among th° place-getters. The winner wos Kiss Mary ,a big raking daughter of Holchldss, who, with 6 7 up, made a run-away race of it. On Alesrer's form, J should only put her down with the moderates. The wianer's time far the five furlongs was Jmin 1 4-s=cc On the third daj, the Summer Handicap and the Second Steeplechase were the principal it°m=. The first-jiauipcl raco attracted a field of nine staitois, they being Minerva IT 8 10, WVioro.ioomai 8 8, Knight of Athol 8.5, Firefly 5.9., St. Ona 82, Doc+or 7.10, Lillie 7.8, Red Lancer 70, Poranqi Pot'ie 612. Wpioro-go-mpi vrs found most to tho liking of in v ostois, biit the f.ivouulp vas never leally daiigcious at any of the lace. Po--nrc,x Potae and St. Ona wcie the fust lo hop off when Mi Cults lelepsed ilio field, end thi« paii Tctod as pacemakots for upwards of half v mile, when Porfigi diopped hick into the me!;. Thieo and a-half furlongs from home Re r l Lancer made his way Ihiough, followed by Lilhc, ard though the Irtier mado a determined pJlort to draw on terms with the leader the bay son of Red Ensign hnd no difficulty in silencing the oppopi.tjoiij and ran rapt the bos an easy -winner by

two lengths. The winner, who covered the mile in lrnin 4-i 3-ssec, has done nothing for a while, and it is about time Mr Joel had a turn of fortune's wheel. Pour was the main in the Steeplechase, about thiee miles, they being Crusado 11.1, Viltigeur II 9.12, Stockman 9.7, and St. Lemon 9.7. Crusado's display in running second to Nor'-west in the Steeplechase on Wednesday last caused him to be largely supported, Voltigeur II being tho one next in demand. The favourite, however, found the extra weight too much, and never seriously tioubled the opposition. He was several lengths to the real of Voltigeur and Stockman when they set out in the run round tho course proper, and lost ground throughout, the race going to Voltigour, who had no difficulty in shaking off Stockman and winning by the best pait of four lengths. Time,,, 6min 38 3-ssec. A performance worthy of note was that of Favona, who annexed the three open hurdle races at the meeting. This son of Regel is undoubtedly one of the best looking horses racing over fences in Auckland, and it is indeed a great pity that he should be under the suspicion of unsoundness. One of the most disappointing horses at the meeting was the rnuch-talked-of Napier gelding Barbaiossa, who came up with a big reputation, but failed every time of asking. There are those, however, who think that we shall seme day hear of Bai-barossa doing better. Joe Gallagher returned on Sunday by the Elingamite, bringing with him Mes=rs"Nathan's team — Rosella, Hastings, and Beddington. With the death of Mr J. P. A. Philson last Thursday there passed away one of the besi known figures in Auckland, more particularly in sporting circles, he having been thrown much in contact with those associated with the turf. A partner in the firm of Messrs Hunter and Nolan, auctioneers at our blood stock sales, he was also one of the oldest committecmen of the Auckland Eacing Club. Prom the time of the , first blood stock sale at the New Zealand Stud Company's property, deceased had occupied the rostrum at the annual sales right through to the last sale at Wellington Park on January 3. and by the manner in which he did his work he earned a reputation as one of the leading avictioneers of the thoroughbred in the Australasian colonies. His genial personality made him many fast friends, and his familiar figure and cheery voice will be sadly missed by those with whom he was acquainted, while it may be safely said that nc man was his enemy. Seahorse was shipped to Sydney on Tuesday last by the Mararoa, and looked in bloowing health, being evidently the better for the brief spell he was given after his hard campaign of the past two or three months. In the course of a chat with Major George as to the colt's future, T gathered the impression that unless his prospects in Australia are very promising tlu 'chances are that the son of Nelson will return before April, as he claims two important ■' engagements m me Hawke's Bay Slakes and A.R.C. Century Stakes. Young Sceats, one of our most promising light weights went across to ride Seahorse in his Australian engagements, , and I think Joe may be snfely depended upon 1 to do his mount justice. i The Hobson Handicap case, which excited considerable attention on account of the reversal of a decision arrived at by the Auckland Racing Club, and which it was thought had been buried in Iho dead past, has been once more brought to light. It will be remembered that in this race, which was decided at the Takapuna Jockey Club's Slimmer meeting last season, a dispute occurred over the start, and Blue Cap and Bacchus were the only two horses to complete the course, the other jockeys pulling their mounts up tinder the impression that it ! was a false start. Mr E. D. Halstead, the ! starter, declared that he had given the word I " Go." and that it was therefore a start, yet ia j tho face of that official announcement the I stewards decided it no start, and ordered the ! rac« to be run over again. The starter thereupon resigned his position, and another starter had to be appointed. Then on top of this the owner of Blue Cap, who had finished first, declined to again start his horse. The race was ■ rui; without the animal in question, and Hal- , berdic won. The owner of Blue Caw then * lodged an appeal with the Auckland Eacing Club against the decision of the Takapuna stewards, and on this being sustained by the metropolitan club the Takamma people ap- , pealed to the chairman of the New Zealand i Eacing Conference, contending that they had i been within their powers in ordering the raco to be re- run. Sir George Clifford' set up a , Court of Appeal, and the finding went in favour of the appellants, thus upsetting the ruling of . the A.E.C. Now comes the last stage ir> the 1 little racecourse drama. The Auckland Eaci ing Club authorities, not satisfied that they j were in the wrong, decided to obtain an Eng- | 3ish opinion on the matter, and- Secretary Perl cival, acting on instructions, wrote some months ! ago to Messrs Weatherby on the subject, citing his cas-3 as under: " Can the stewards upftes the starter's declaration, and order a race ito be run over again? Or, in other words, is i not thp starter's decision as to a start or no ! start final?" The revjly has now come to hand, and in it the Messrs Weatherby say "We say, with the approval of the stewards of the , Jockey Club, that there can be no doubt if the starter declared the start sood it must stand. Th. 5 stewards could not break their own rules i wilhout an impvitation of malpractice." While i the English opinion does not interfere with the ■ finding of the Apoeal Committee set up by Sir , Geo Clifford, it is nevertheless interesting, as shewing the attitude they would have adopted in the old country under the circumstances obtpiring in tho Hobson Handicap, had a similar occurrence taken place there. At a meeting of the stewards of the Af eklfind Racing Club, held this afternoon, it was d°cided . to vote the sum of 50gs to the third contingent fund, bringing the " club's contribution to 2Sojrs. At the same mooting the Hon. E. Mitohelson was elected to thp vacancy caused by the death or Mr J. P. A. Philson. Coronet, Cuirasette, and St. Jack were shipped to Taranaki to-day to fulfil engagements. Waiorongomai was not sent.