AUCKLAND TOPICS. By Taihoa. February 26.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 42

AUCKLAND TOPICS. By Taihoa. February 26.

"Weights for the Wanganui Cup were issued by Mr Evett during the week, the Aucklandowned horse Coronet heading the list with 9.6. The bay son of Castor has certainly brought off two or three good performances on the Coast lately, proving himself every inch a stayer; yet even allowing for these facts, I can hardly see on what ground he should be called upon to concede .Boreas 41b. Although considered better at a mile and a-quarter, Boreas has done all right over the additional quarter of a mile, and I should not be at all surprised to find him proving to the doubters in the Wanganui Cup that they have erred in looking upon him as a non-stayer. Sant Ilario has every ounce that could be given him in 8.2, yet he may be one to score should the Canterbury owner decide to send him north — about which there is at present some cloubt as Mr Stead has another representative in the Cup in Skobeloff, who is handily treated with 7.5. I hinted some time back that Peter Chaafe •would in all probability be found taking the crack steeplechaser, Nor'-west, across to Sydney, and this has been confirmed by the Auckland trainer leaving yesterday by the Mararoa ■with the son of Sou- wester and his stable companion Crusado, the intention beng to compete in the jumping events at the forthcoming Autumn meeting at Randwick. Nor'-west is one of the finest specimens of the cross-country horse we have seen in this colony, and if not too harshly treated, should render a good account of himself across the way ; but as much can hardly be said of his stable mate, Crusado, the black son of Cruiser having so far proved himself somewhat of a disappointment, though it ig understood that he shows signs of improveniunt, and may therefore be found equal to paying his way. R. Hall accompanied Chaafe, and will ride both horses in their engagements. On his recent running at the North Shore meeting, when he carried off the three hurdle | races on the Takapuna Jockey Club's programme, Favona must be considered very well treated with 10.11 in the Wanganui Hurdles, 1 and Mr S. Coombes has aceoi'dingly decided to send the chestmit son of Regel down to the West Coast gathering. Favona will be shipped on Wednesday, D. Morrigan in charge. Mr J. G-. Ralph met with a misfortune the other day when he lost the yearling colt by St. Lege£-r-L.ady_ Peer purch.as.ed; by, !h,im. a/fe jMr Moj:-

! rin's recent bloodstock sales for 90gs. Just after dusk the youngster, for some unaccountable reason, dashed down the enclosure in which he had been turned out with Lady Avon's halfbrother, after being fed, and, swerving at a post and rail fence, knocked the post right out, while the rail entered his side almost disembowelling him. He wns a nice looking colt, and Mr Ralph had secured him cheaply at the figure stated, owing to the shortness of the pedigree on the dam's side. La Gloria is making good recovery from her recent mishap, and it is hoped that she will be raced again this season. The fillies by St. Leger from Hilda and Hazel purchased by the English buyer, Mr William* Nichols, at the last Wellington Park yearling sales, were shipped from here to Lyttelton by the WestraKa on Tuesday last for transhipment to the Shaw-Savill liner lonic, leaving for London on Thursday. Franks, who took the fillies, goes on Home with them. Knight of Athol was shipped to New Plymouth last Wednesday to fulfil engagements at the Wocdville J. C. meeting, wheie he has 7.11 in the Woodville Cup, and B.4 'ft the Borough Handicap. The grey son of Cuirassier has no room to complain on the score of weight, and as he was very well when he left, he may be expected to run forward. I thought the majority of the Auckland horses ; competing at Taranaki and Egmont would have gone on to Wanganui, but was evidently otit in | my reckoning, as Tolstoi, The Needle, Minerva 11, and St. Jack were brought back to Auckland during the week. Harry Franks may, however, go back to Wanganui with Tolstoi. Although the imported St. Simon sire Cyrenian is pretty frequently exercised on the tracks at Ellerslie, I am informed that the object is to keep down grossness in his condition rather than for racing purposes. The American standard-bred trotter Wilmington, imported by Mr A. R. Harris, of Auckland, has been sold by that gentleman to Mr C. W. Davis, of Napier. Wilmington, who was shipped to his new home a few days back, has some very promising young stock here. Mr W. Abbott, of Otahuhu, lost the four-year-old mare St. Ada, by St. .Leger, from Aida, since last budget. It seems that she was being treated to a trial gallop at Sylvia Park, when , ehe broke her leg above the fetlock, and an effort to set it failing, her career had to be cut short with a bullet. Record Reign was brought down from Pukekohe last week, and is at work at Ellerslie in view of autumn engagements. Miss Delaval is doing well again, and in all probability her next effort will be in the A.R.C. Century Stakes. Geo. Wright generally takes a string to the Wanganui and Hav/ke's Bay meetings; but he has this year decided against the coastal trip on the ground that his team has already had sufficient travelling, and he will instead keep his charges fresh for the A.R.C. back-end fixture in April next.