AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 41

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa.

July 30.

Since the issue of the weighis the two Nationals have attracted a good deal of wagering, the first pair to 3laim strong support being Plain Bill and Record Reign, which combination is now quoted at 10C to 7. The two Plain Bills is at 10C to 5, and straight-out Plain Bill is quoted at 100 to 14. while on the Grand Notional Hurdles one investor has been bold enough to accept 50 to 12 about Record Reign.

Betting on the New Zealand Cup is also brisk, and Malatua, who has hardened, now figures at the head of the list, the best on offer being 100 to 12, while Record Reign if. a couple of points longei. A tidy sum has been taken about Tortulla, who has shortened to 100 to 8, while Tire and Seahorse are at 100 to 6.

The English sire, Phcebus Apoilo, who is to take up stud fiuties at Wellington Park, arrived yesterday from Wellington by the Waihora, in charge of Percy Johnston, the wellknown jockey, W. Carr, who accompanied the stallion from England in tho Papanui, being unable to come on to Auckland. On being landed Phcebus Apollc was walked uj tc Mr Haistead's stablo to be shod, but it was not deemed advisable to strip him, it being" hardly fair tc expect the new arrival to undergo a critical inspection just after coming off the boat. Like all the descendants of the famous St. Simon, Phcebus Apollo carries a blood-like head and a fine bold eye, typical of the highclass thoroixghbred, and though not jf the commanding presence of Hotehkiss is a really nioe horse — dark bay in colour, with black points, and standing about 15.2. When his quarter-cloth was pulled back by the stud gicom a well-sprung, nicely-ribbed-up middle piejia Mid. quarters well equipped with power

were exposed to the gaze of the several critic* present. The St. Simon sire carries himself decidedly well for one that has just come through a long sea voyage, and when fairly, settled down should be a very attractive-look-ing animal. Phoebus Apollo evidently stood; bis training well, for when viewed yesterday his legs were without a blemish. Mi Morrin is to be congratulated on securing such a beauti-fully-bred horse as Phcebus Apollc for his establishment, and the healthy condition in which' the horse has been landed will enable the Wellington Park studmaster to at once make use of his services.

Chatting with one of the officials of the Auckland Trotting Club the other day about the recent flutter with the Northern Trotting Club, I learned that it is quite probable that the A.T.C. will decide not to return to Potter's paddock, Epsom, but to trot at Sylvia Park, where a new course has been offered them. The terms are looked upon, as inviting, and as the Railway department has practically promised to run a siding off to the course, which is about a \uile further on, it is quite on the cards that the club will 'close with the offer rather than take any risk of interference by going back tc the old track at Epsom. Fred Stsnning has brokeii-in and handled a rising two-year-old full-brother to the speedy, but somewhat unlucky, Hohora.

The trouble over the name of the Auckland Grand National winner has apparently been set at rest at last, Mr L. Harris having now renamed the Cuirassier— Clio gelding Cavalierio.

Kanaka is standing up to his preparation all right at Takapuna, and if all goes well he will be taken to Riccarton to fulfil his engagement in the Grand National Steeplechase. Mr Willie Walters, of Papakura, informs me that in the event of Swordfish not being sold he intends to use him as a sire during the coming season.

The ruling of Sii G-eorge Clifford during tho sitting of the Racing Conference that while the conference had nothing to do with trotting all officials assisting at a trotting meeting where flat races were held would be infringing the rules of the conference by acting at unresristored meetings will affect several Auckland officials seriously. The veteran starter (Mr Geo. Cutts), Mr W. Knight (handieipper}, 'and Mr Fred. Marks (clerk of scales at Ellerslie and Potter's Paddock) will be numbered among those who in future will not be permitted tc act ir> the dual capacity where pony racing is associated with tiotting.

The stallion, St. Hippo, leased to take uj. stud duties dowr the coast, will be shipped t> Palmerston North on Wednesday.

Among the New Zealand Cup scratching? announced dnring the past week wa3 that oi the Auckland horse Woodstock, who, it maj bs mentioned, has gone the way of all flesh, including horseflesh. It seems that Woodstock, who was an aged gelding, and had only recently been put in work after "a lengthy retirement, got cast in his box one night, and was found ' riext 'morning with one of his

le^s broken. The friendly bullet did the rest. Woodstock was owned by Mr Dolf Davis, who manages the Messrs Nathan's racing and stud affairs.

During last week Mr F. B. Ross, owner of Telephone, Yoltigeur 11, Kanaka, and others, added a rising four-year-old gelding by Tele- 1 phone out of May Flower to his team. The new-comer, who is a full brother "to Bellman, was brought down fiom the Waikato district, where he was bred.

Nor'-west, who is not to fulfil his engagements at *the New Zealand Grand National' meeting, was brought back to Auckland on Wednesday last, in company with Dingo and old Jack Chaafe's pair, St. Peter and St. Ur.> sula, all of whom figured a£ the recent Wellington meeting without success. Nor' -west has baen thrown out of work, and seems to have quite lost his condition. He will probably require a lengthy rest.

Jack Chaafe is niK!Tlug a desperate effort to get a race out of St. Paul, but the little fellow has not a sound leg to stand on, and I ani veiy doubtful as tc whether he will ever figure on the racing track again. TEe Master is showing good form over sticks at Ellerslie, and should show to advantage in hurdles next season.

The Auckland Cup winner, Blue Jacket, ia being api3ortioned strong work at Blleislie, but still has a somewhat suspicious-looking leg.

Ba'bernie, the two-year-old daughter of St. Leger and Coalscuttle, who was one of the disappointments of last season, is rounding up into a really nice-looking filly, and may repay Mr John Marshall next season.

Seahorse pleased course-watchers 0:1 Saturday morning with the sound, resolute manner in. which he. reeled ofr a mile and a-half, yet, though the son of Nelson seems to be shaping all light, some ot the observant one? aver thai he walked away l?me recently. Cotton, who has taken over th* Hon. Mooman's string, is keeping Hengist going, but seems to have a big task in front of him to get the colt ready for the spring. At the same time, it must not be forgotten that some of the St. Lepers have come to hand very quickly when on the big side, and it is quite possible thai Hengist may be one to show form very rawidly. The veteran Chaafe has not a two-year-old in his stable this season that seems likely to claim attention.

A two-year-old that is being very hopefully, spoken of is the Hotehkiss — Ouida youngster: owned by Mr Leonard Marsh?!!.

The popular Wellington sporting medico, Dr Newman, is sending ut> his brood mare Misfit (by Dreadnought — f^ardingale, by Musket), to the St. Simon sire, Cyvenian, and other visiting mares booked to the same horse are Alabaculia (by St. Legev — Glenavy) and Impregnable (by Dreadnought).