AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 47

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa.

The n«w& that the New Zealand Cup favourite Nonette had b^en cast in his boi. about the middle of last week was received by Auckland enthusiasts with general regret, aa the first bulletin gave the impression that the golt would he laid aside for some time, and that his Cup prospects would be seriously interfered with, if not completely turned, as a consequence. The position is, however, it is pleasing to say, not so serious as was at first anticipated, ab the eon of Seat-on Delaval, who had been an absentee from the training track for a couple of days, made his reappearance at Ellershe on Saturday afternoon, when he walked sound enough, and did not seem to be carrying any ill effects from his accident. Mr Evan expects to have Nonette in strong work again in a day or two, aid it is to be hoped that in this lie will not be disappointed, as ho has backed his colt ior a good round sum for the Cup. The acceptances for the two jumping e\ents at the N Z. Grand National meting are in every way flattering to the handicupper, and the gathering should be one of the most successful ye* hold at Riccarton. As 1 said last week, Auckland is likely to be well represented, as

owners generally are quite satined with the treatment of their horses. In b&mg placed at Die head of the list in the Grand National Steeplechase The Guard with 13.2 has, I think, been rathei harshly treated, and, genuine bit of stuff though he is, his prospects do not read at ail bright in comparison with otherß below. As an instance let us take Cavahero, who is m at 12.0 The Cuirassier gelding did not it is trn<\ perform too well over rountrv horp last month, but I fam-v Riccartoii coure? will suit him, and The Guard would have but little chance with him at the weight Mr E\ett endeavoured to bring The Guard arid

Cavahero together the latter wai made to »ive away 12'b, while in the New Zealand Grand National the southern handicapper completely turns the table", setting The Guard as a 16lb better horse, the two weight adjusters thus varying a couple of atone

in then summing up of Hip situation Of the othpr Auckland candidates for the cross-country event. I like Cannongat? 11 R mo-.'., while Frost 10.0 and The Swimmer 9 12 are otheis not to bo ovei looked, but if asked to leave i» to a couple at this stage I bhould single out Cu\ahoro and Ca'.mougat* as the most likely pair to fiehi it out all being well on thp dia\. In the Grand National Hurdles Cavahero is a^ain given a chance to distinguish himself with 12.9, while of the otherß rone are more to my liking than Ma>-<, 10.7 and Tresham 10.0 Mars did not do anything startling at Kllershe last month, but phou.d Iv an improve! horse when he comes to rice at Ric carton while Trt<-hain\s tunning at Ellor'li^ wns sufficient to r,iu3-> die to look loiwrfrd to hi= givnif? a cock! acf-unt of himsi it. a= he only missed the bi<r jumping event lieie through striking the ia.il of th^ course by

s\\er\u.c in a bit at the last jump There has been a fa!>- nnomit c r bolting dur .np th" week on t ho Chnstchu'ch uimoing tli üb'e. thp i.i.-nurito s^ortiou* l>< i ik Oio tv«,o

Cavaheros couplet! with Mars and Tresham,

and Cannonpate coupled with the same pair I jm. dJte Hurdles. .These doubles have been

pretty extensively supported. The two Cavaheros is quoted at 100 to 4.

As a result of his mishap during the week, Nonette has gone back in the N.Z. Cup betting. A horse that has been backed for this race during the past few days is Romany Queen, the half-sister to St. Michael, and one of Mr G. G. Stead's candidates. The local pcncillers laid their money at hundreds to two and three, and it is stated that the commission, amounting to £1500, was worked for a southern backer. Other occupants of the same stable that have been backed here for the Cup are Siege Gun, Cruciform, and Grand Rapids.

As I pointed out last week, owners up th.s way are to be well represented at Riccarton. Royal Conqueror reached the scene before this waa written, having gone on from Wellington , while Cannongate followed on Thursday last, and Cayaliero, Mars, Tresham, Haydn, Scotty, ffnsome, and Matarawa were shipped to-day.

W. Percival, secretary of the Auckland Racing Club, had the misfortune to dislocate his collar bone while attending the Racing Conference at "**"r>llingion. He got biok to town the other day and is progressing favourably. The St Leger — Hilda colt picked up at a, low figure by a Whangarei resident at Mr G. G. Stead's sale of rar.ng stock some three or four months ago has been Pent here to Fred Stenning to be trained. As far as looks are concerned the colt is one that fills the eye most pleasingly, and, if he stands a preparation, should prove a bargain.

A youngster in training at Ellerslie that gieatly pleases the courts witchcrs is the fullsi&ter to Porirua. This filly is looked upon p-s the most likely of the candidates in the Avondnle Stakes, to be rtm in September. C. Hird, well known in local trottirg circles, left for Christchurch about the middle of last week, faking with him one of the trotters ho brought from Sydney in the shape of a neatlooking Donv marp. She will probably be a competitor at the N.Z. Trotting Club's meeting.