AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2409, 3 May 1900, Page 47

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Br Taihoa.

April 30.

Another scion of the gieat St. Simon family, tile stallion Phoebus Apollo, has been purchased for New Zealand, and will grace the slopes of Mr Thomas Morrin's famous breeding establishment at "Wellington Park. For some time past the Auckland studmaster has had his eye on this horse, who on both sides boasts the stoutest and most fashionable blood, and it was pleasing news that flashed across the cable last Wednesday when his agent at Home intimated that he had closed for the purchase of this sire. While on the turf Phoebus Apollo carried the colours of his breeder, Lady Meux, and won a fail percentage of important races during his five years under silk. Phoebus Apollo is by St. Simon out of the Barcaldine mare Polynesia, and as it has already been conclusively demonstrated that the mating of the St. Simon and Musket families is a. happy nick, Apollb should have every opportunity of making a name foi himself right

away, a-s the Wellington Park stud is rich 1 in Musket blood. The horse will in all probability be shipped to New Zealand by the lonic under the charge of H. Franks, who took the Hilda and Hazel fillies to London for Mr Nicholls, and should therefore arrive here towards the end of June.

The local trotting horses, Miss Victor, Cleveland, Billy Wilson, and Victory, were shipped to Wellington last Thursday to fulfil engagements at the Wellington Trotting Club's Autumn meeting next Thursday. On her return *rom Wellington, Miss Delaval, who has been up to the present trained at Mangere, will go into Frank M'Manemin'g hand.

Hengist, the Hon. Hugh Mosman's highpriced youngster, who met with an accident just prior to the A.R.C. meeting, and had accordingly to be withdrawn from engagements, has made a good recovery, and is now at walking exercise.

The two fillies by St. Leger from Hilda and Hazel, purchased by Mr W. Nicholls, an English visitor, at the last Wellington Park yearling sales, arrived oil well in the old countrylast week.

The Takapuna Jockey Club has had a splendid response to its call for entries for the Winter meeting, which commences on May 24. Weights for the Takapuna Cup and Steeplechase and minor events of the firs,t day make their appearance next Friday. The popular horseman, Joe Gallagher, who for many years has been associated with George Wright's stable, has severed his connection with Van pieman -Lodge, but will, it is tinderstood, still continue to ride for the Messrs L. -D. and K. A. Nathan. What Joe's intentions as regards the future are I cannot say, but as o::e of the foremost, as well as one of the best-behaved and straightest. jockeys in New Zealand, there is little doubt that "he will do well. It has been frequently rumoured that Eecorrl Reign would bo put to the jumping game, and the son of Castor figures among the entrants foi the Grand National Hurdle Race to be run at the big lumping meeting of the A.R.C. m June, yet I hsrdly think that Mr Roulston seriously contemplates taking on the illegitimate gams with this gallant performer yet awhile. Meanwhile, Recoid Reign has been taken back to Pukekoho, where he will be winteied — an indication that there is not much likelihood of the negotiations for his purchase in Austral jt-i being brought to a successful issue. From a well-informed quarter I learn that Mr Roulston was not prtrpaied to accept anything less than SOQsovs for the gekling. In p.cking up Ciusado last spring from Dan M'Lcod at SOsovs, Pete. Ohaafe mads a lucky purchase, as the second string has so far bi ought all the grist to the mill on the olhei side. The^ cablegiam announcing the withdrawal of Nor'-west from auction on Tuesday last_owing to an injury sustained when ha fell in tlie A J.C. Steeplechase gives rise to the impression that something serious is wrong with the son of Sou- wester. This, if it proves true, will be a thousand pities, as he was a lepper sneh as one does not meet with, very frequently.

Nereid was -brought up here from Gisborna by G. Sufi at the latter end of last week.

Although we have for some time past been, lamenting the dearth of leppers, there is evidently still plentj of material, judging by the magn.ficent response of owners when the nominations for the Grand National s Hurdles and Great Northern Steepleb, to be inn in the early part of June, fell due on Fricfny evening last, and the A.H.C scored a record eniiy for these events, the Hurdles claiming an entry of 40 as against 23 last year, and the Steeples 38 as against 23. Both races include plenty, of quality. Weights are due on May 11.

Taking into consideration his brilliant form at the A'.R.C Autumn meeting. Advance should be the haidest horse to beat in the iNorth Island Challenge Stakes, to be run at the Wellington. Racing Club's gathering on Friday next. The son of Vanguard is bound to find many admirers in Auckland for the race under notice.

Tolstoi, who seems to" be keeping up his southern reputation for unreliabieness, was offered by auction here on Friday last, but failed to reach the reserve.

The two-year-old filly Minerva, by Nelson — Hestia. upon whom no reserve was placed by Major George, was auctioned on the same day, going to Mr Alexander Phillips, who is understood to have acted as agent for ilr A. A. Ellisdo;!, at 36gs. At a special meeting of the Pakuranga Hunt Club, held on Friday last, Mr J. G. Ralph, wall known in local racing circles was unanimously elected to the office of master of the hound's, Mr 2 . S. Buckland having declined the honour. The opening run of the season is fixed for Satuiday next. Winsome, the handsome-looking daughter cf Cuirassier and Winnie, promises to keep up the reputation of her prolific dam, who has contributed St Simon, Record Reign, and other good oaes to the turf. Mr Roulslon has a full sister to Winsome on hia farm at Pukekohe, and his trainer; W. Townshend, intends shortly putting the breaking tackle on her. I last week mentioned that our knights of the pencil had a bad time si Easter, and am now informed that one local metallician lost no le&s than £117S during the week.