AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 42

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Bt Taihoa. February 19. When speaking of Coronet's doings we have Eorretimes made reference to his unreliability, but of late he has been running as true as steel and as_ straight as a gun barrel, and it may bs said that he has somewhat redeemed his character. In carrying 9.6 and covering the mile and u-half of the Egmont Cup last Wednesday m £mm 39Eec, the Auckland horse brought off a meritorious performance. Coronet has Taced oa 41 occasions, and won Jiine times, while he has filled second place six and third four times, since he made his debut as . a two-year-old end landed liis first two races, the A.R.C. Welcome and the •Musket Stakes, both in businesslike fashion. Coronet, however, subsequently lost his form, this being due in a measure to a ruptured blood vessel. Saddled up on 18 occasions as a three-year-old Coronet only scoied one winning bracket. At foiv years old he was sent out 20 times and won thre3 races. Since the present season opened he has been under silk 12 times and has won three events (all Cups), finished second a similar number of times, and was unplaced on six occasions. In stakes the Wellington Park-bred horse has credited his owner with £2655, and won five Cups — viz., Takapuna, 1898; A.R.C. Summer, 189S; Egmont, 1899 and 1900; and Taranaki, 1900. Coronet, I understand, goe3 on to Wanganui. A local breeder who has been on a vi sit to Mr VT. Sanday's place was greatly impressed ■with the foal full brother to Waiviku. This* youngster, whose coat will be a rich browii < similar to that^ot Waiuku when he reaches maturity, is a sturdy customer, and, according .to my informant, may be expected to develop into a commanding type of horse. Kiss Mary, the two-year-old daughter of Hotchkiss and St. Mary, purchased by Percy 'Martin, the well-known Hawke's Bay trainer, ,when in Auckland recently, has arrived safely at her new home at Hastings. She is a promising youngster, and in such good hands as .those of Percy Martin she should be made the jmost of. . As at the Taranaki meeting, Auckland-bred horses had a big outing at the Egmont Racing Club's gathering held on Wednesday and Thursday la3t On the first day The Needle Brigadier — Dressmaker) set the ball rolling loy annexing the Flying Handicap ; Coronet (by Castor — Necklace) followed this up by landing tlia Egmont Cup ; Gowrie (by Blairgowrie — Lady Eminelrne) scored in the Hawera Welter Handicap; and Dortmoor (by St. Legcr — Lyrelinus) was first home in the Second Hack Handicap. On the second day Okoari (St. Leger — Musket Maid) landed the Waimate Handicap and Tommy Atkins (by Cuirassiei — Lilac) won thj Hack Handicap. lioca.l Pencillers quote Seahorse at 6 to 1 for tho Australian Cup. The imported St. Simon stallion Cyrenian is being treated to half-pace work at Ellerslie. As to that good handicap performer, Record Reign, who, as a resiilt of the hard course, broke the shell of his hiud feet at the Auckland -Kacing Club's Summer meeting, and has since been out of work, his owner, Mi Jas. Roulston, informs me that the injured part has grown last a-nd he hopes to be able to gel the son of Minnie in work in time for the foithcommg &utumn. meeting. A. Coliey, the Hon. Mosman's late trainer, has returned to Queensland. The local trainer, Fred Stenning, brought a yearling gelding by Tasman — Lady Moth and a yearling filly by Tasrnan — Cobweb down from Shaftesbury during the week, and these juveniles will be added to nis horses in training Both are brown in colour and well grown and hardy, particularly the gelding, who is a full-biother to the consistent Hohoru, who ran mo less than three seconds at the Takapuna /Tockey Club's meeting. Mr S. Tooman's racing string, including two or three smart ponies and a jumper or two, goes under the hammer on Saturday next Skobeloff has received rome support locally JEor the Canterbury Club's Midsummer Handicap, and if, as stated, this candidate has 'shown considerable improvement it seems quite on the cards that he may credit Mr Stead with a win. Another one to claim some public attention foi the same race is Jupiter.