AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 41

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By TAiiiOAr

October 1

There is little or no change to chronicle in New Zealand Cup matters. Record Reign is still at the head of the quotations, and as firm as " ever. He put in a slashing^ gallop once round on the tan op Tuesday morning last, having Miss Delaval and La Gloria with him. They were, however, no use to him, and he is standing up to his wcrk in a manner that shows" plainly there need be no anxiety as to his soundness.

It was intended that Hengisl should fulfil his engagement in the big southern lace, but as he must have had a very bad trip down the coast, the question as to the southern trip may be said to remain open to speculation, and the probability is that "Record Reign will be the only Auckland candidate to see the post at Biccarton.

y— Miss Delaval is improving a hit, but ' \ J .U ." not be forward enough to undertake the dig; two-mile battle in November, while it is more than probable that Hohoro and Fabricator will 1 be found missing when the next payment falls' due on the 19th mst. , The Pukekohe sportsman, Mr James Roui^J ton, has a very promising two-year-old by StJ Hippo out of Winnie on his farm. Thirf youngster, a half brother to Record Reign, ia held to be about the best descendant of St.' Hippo we have yet seen, but mil not be raced! as a two-year-old, Mr Roulston being of opinion that it is not wise to open a horse's career 1 at that age. The annual meeting of the Auckland Troi-> ting Club was held on Friday last, when thera was a good attendance of members. The statement of accounts showed a profit on the year's working of £211 and a total cash balance to the credit of the club of £456, in addition to assets, after writing off bad debts, totalling considerably over £300. One surprising feature disclosed in the statement .of accounts was the small membership, the fees only amounting to £20 10s, representing only 41 financial members. Several new members were elected to the Management Committeei and Mr F. W. Edwards was appointed to the dual position of starter and handicappar, an alteration- in these offices being necessitated through the decision ' of the New Zealand Racing Conference whicli prevents officials connected with" affilia- ' ted clubs acting for unregistered bodies. 1 ' Mi- W. G. Mosnian, who is related-to tHe Hon. H.^ Mosman, arrived here from Sydney" ; last weeit, and accompanied the racehorses "Hcirgist and. Formula to Napier on Saturday, ' Tommy Taylor going down-to ride the pair in their engagements. Formula had all the bes", of Hengist in a gallop over a mile on the trial- ' track at Ellerslie one ir.irning" last week, and I am inclined to thirds: that" Hengist is not going to turn out" as well as his looks led us to "believe. Major George's wisdom in sending Labourer across to Victoria has been questioned in some quarters, it being held £hat the son of The " Workman would have paid his way better in New Zealand in the spring. This view ie, however, open to question, as now that Labourer has returned to something like form ha should be equal to rendering a satisfactory account of himself in company above the ordi, nary, and I should not be a bit surprised to hear of his winning a good race at Flemington next month. „I'he appeal case in connection with' the disqualification of the owner and trainer of th 3 ex-Sydney pony Minerva II will be heard at Wellington on Saturday next. The brood mare Vasator, by Captivator — Vacillation, who was stinted to .the English sire 03'renian,' Svas found dead in a paddock at Parnell (one of our suburbs) last week. ' Though the entries received by the Auckland Racing Club on Friday last for the principal events .of the metropolitan club's Spring and Summer meetings are, in the aggregate, 32 short of last year, the number for tho six races being 198, as against 230, they are nevertheless satisfactory, and embrace the leading horses in. the colony. The Auckland Cup shows a falling off of 15 entries, thei^ being but 44 r -as ' against 59, 'but there is no lack 01 quality. J. B. Williamson has Coronet looking 'healthy andjvell, and he is being apportioned plenty Of work in view of the.A.R.C. Spring meet--ing. Cannongaie was schooled over the Ellerslie • Steeplechase course towards the latter end of last week, and fenced proficiently throughout. ' • Mr J. Sandy, has a yearling brother to Waiiiku at his farm at Waiuku. He will" figure on the sale list at the Wellington Park year- ' ling sale in January. Musket Maid is in foal to St. Legor, whom she visits again. Mr W. Robinson's brood mars Impregnable (by Dreadnought) was brought up from Napier during the week on a visit to the St. Simon"' aire Cyrenian. Foalings announced during the week are as under:— Mr T. Morrin's Lady Harriet (by Hotchkiss — Pungawerewere), colt to St. Leger; * Dunnon (by Bundoora — Roseleaf), filly to Hotchkiss; Hazel (by Nordenfeldt— Ouida), coll to Cyreniau ; Mr J. Muir's Folly (by Captivator—The Jilt), colt to Soult; Mr D. A. M'Leofl's- Parera (by Cuirassier — Albatross), twins (dead) to Cyrenian.