AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2539, 12 November 1902, Page 51

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Bt Taiboa.

November -9. The Auckland Racing Club's sprinf meeting of three days was commenced to-day under weather conditions the reverse of favourable, and although there was an inipro demerit as the afternoon wore on the rain earlier in the day interfered with the attendance, which was only moderate. The sport, however, proved interesting, and the sum of JE6S6I was passed through the totalisator, tho shrinkage being only £415 compared with the corresponding day last year, when the meeting opened on the Prince of Wales' Birthday. , • , . t, - A card of eight races opened with the President's Handicap, for which Putty was the one most in favour. The greater part of the running was carried on by La Valiere and Lmgard, who gave place to Zuleika nearmg the turn; but the last-named was unable to foot it with Strathavon in the run from tiie distance, and the aged bod of Blairgowrie, whose only previous victory was m the Hack Handicap at Avondale m September, scored by about length. Owners were busy with the scratching pen in the Great Northern Guineas, for umcb the field was ultimately reduced to five. Wairiki not having done any really strong work lately, some were inclined to waver m their allegiance to the son of Soult, but he nevertheless went to the post a decided favourite, the waverers putting their money on Idas, who was next in the betting. When the barriei was released Wairiki was standing on his hind legs; and Lavalette, who was the first to move, continued to play the part of pacemaker until inside the distance, when Wairiki dashed through the field, and, settling nil opposition in the last bit, scored by olose on a length. Ter> was the main in the Welcome Stakes, for which Kamo was the one moat to the liking of investors. Being on« of the first to move, the daughter of Seaton Delaval quickly drew put from her field, and holding the opposition safe right through the piece she scored very comfortably from Delavia. Half ». dozen sported silk for the Hurdle Race, the top-weight, Mars, being the strong tip. He, feowarer. met his master in Cannon-

gate, who went to the front at the fourSh fence, and landed his rase in good etyk from tho favourite, who did not appear to have been too -well handled by Stewart) who had the mount. Spalpeen was made favourite in the good field of 13 that went onl lor the- Shorts Handicax, font this disappointing son of Gossoon failed to play any part in the finish, the rate© being won by Landlock, who -was early out making the pace, and was never headed at any part of the journey, ■winning by a couple of lengths from Camille. Again in the City Handicap a baker's dozen saddled up, the top-weight, Bosella, -who moved a bit short in her preliminary, being made the medium of etrong support. The favourite was, however, nevei with the lea-ding division, and after Tresham and Strathavon had run in close .company at the head of affairs until the straight was reached, Golden Hose ' dashed up, and, cutting down the opposition with a determined and well-sustained fun, the little mare won by three lengths. There -was a■■ stirring contest for second place, Matamata- ' harakiki just beating The Needle by a head > for third honours; while Val Rosa and Grey Seaton were less than a nock *w«y. In the Pony Race Annoyed was -strongly supported in a field of seven, and proved the judgment of investors to be correct, as after Girton Girl had set a sound pace for upwards of fire furlongs he came out from the field and won with something to spare. The sport closed with the Plying Handicap, ■ in which Hikipene claimed most attention. The start, however, was such in indifferent one as to interfere with the chances of several of the contestants, and the race looted like resolving iieelf into a struggle between Hiflflower and St. Olga, -who both got -well away. At the business- end, however, Landlock shot up with a rattle, and the son ot Flintlock made no ra^je of it from the distance, -winning by over three lengths from Jewellery, who finished fast. November 30. The Auckland Racing Club's spring meeting was continued to-day, when the sky was over1 cast, but the weather held fine. The attend- , ajice erf the public was a holiday one, »nd the j track was in good order. The sum of £10,716 was passed through ths totalisator on eight races, bringing the total Jor the two days to £17 227 A start was made with the Spring Handi- \ cap, Landlock being selected as most likely to | score in a field of 10, several of whom were J well backed. The favourite, who did not get away too well, was with the leading division at the end of three rfurlongs, and flattered the hopeß of his admirers right into the straight; but the son of Flintlock was not equal to holding off Formula in the last bit, and Lindsay, riding a vigorous finish on the Hotchkiss — Forme mare, landed her home a head to the good of Strathavon, who was the same distance in front of Landlock. The winner has been a disappointment to thoee concerned, and it is some considerable time since she succeeded in landing a stake. Four was the main for the Handicap Hurdles, foi which Mars was made favourite. Tim was responsible ior the pace, but at no time were the others separated from him by ( a gap that endangered their prospects, and as they drew up to the hist obstacle in the straight, the favourite, win carried top weight I of 11.2, closed up to Tim, and Princess of Thule, being the first to land, the aged son of Ingomat and Lyre easily outpaced the opposition on the flat, and won very easily by four lengths from Princess of Thule. i A nice-looking field of 14 sported" silk for the two-year-old race (Musket Stakes), nothing moving better in the preliminary than Kamo, who, on the strength of her victory in the Welcome Stakes on the opening day, was sent out favourite. From a capital start the daughter of Seaton Delaval was quickest on her legs, and although Slibbington challenged in the j home run, she proved Quite equal to the task I before her, and ran home an easy winner by a ' couple of lengths from the Ben Godfrey colt. Whatever the future may bring forth, there is no questioning the fact that at the present stage the little sisW to Porirua is undoubtedly the best of her class in this district. The seven figuring on the card lined up for the Birthday Handicap, Bluejacket being most in demand for the mile and a-hnlf race, whil. the three-ysar-old Wairiki, who had tightened up and evidently benefited as a result of his run on Saturday, carried a few more j investments than Matamataharalriki. Before ' a ftirlong had been cast behind, Tresham was in charge, and the Catesby gelding, pelting a solid pace, stayed at the head of affairs until , they got into the straight, Wairiki and BlueI jacket, who had been his nearest attendants all I along, being about a length away. A few { strides farther on Tresham hung out signals i erf distress, and Wairiki closing on him at the distance post, drew out with easy stride, winning comfortably by a length and a-half from The Needle. Mr Bradley's colt fairly revelled ' in his task, and it may safely be said that in the son of Soult and .Rose and White he has one who may be expected to give a good account of Minßclf when the Great Northern Derby comes on for decision. The Handicap Steeplechase claimed seven starters, and Cannongate was at once sorted out as a good thing for the cross-country race. Right through the piece the contest was an interesting one, and as The Swimmer was with the favourite when they entered the straight for the home run, supporters of the latter showed signs of uneasiness. There was, however, no occasion for this, as the brown son of Cannon, who had been fencing in good style, : and still had a lot left in him, cleared out frdm The Swimmer in the run up the flat, vinning his race easily by over three lengths from the I gamo little Captain Webb gelding. | Eight weighed out for the Pony Handicap, which went to St. Loanda, who got her head in ifront at the home turn. Annoyed got hung up ir the webbing at the start, but made ud her ground in good style, getting into third piace. I In a field of nine, Putty was made favourite j for the Maiden Plate- Irish was responsible for the pace to the head of the straight, where he retired, and Putty and Rosiphele coming away, that pair fought out the finish, the former winning by a length and a-half. The winner is a neaT chestnut gelding by St. Leger . oxit of the Trenton mare ElleTslie, so that you , will £cc that he is a rare-bred one. Proceedings terminated with the Elleralie Handicap, which attracted a field of 14 starters, Gladisla being the one most in favour. St. Olga was early in her stride, but at the business end of the journey Slrathavon dashed up, and silencing the opposition in the run from , the distance, the aged son of Blairgowrie won handily by nearly two lengths from Romeo. As the six furlongs were cut out in 1.16J, it will be seen tliat the chestnut is> a very useful > sort, and had he not swerved all over tfae course i he would more than probably have pulled off | the first race of the day.

GENERAL NOTES

In securing the New Zealand Cuj winner from his breedeis, the Messrs Dudcr, for the trifling outlay of £2& on the occasion of bis visit to Auckland, Mr B. T. Bennett effected a deal that he has every reason to feel satisfied with, though it ir doubtful if there were many who would at tHat time have been prepared to offer -an advance on the price mentioned, as the sor jf Cuirassier and Miss Stead was then in an unsound state, an 3 his future, as far as the turf was concerned, looked anything but promising. Halberdier, who was then suffering from i bowed tendon, has proved a happy investment for the coastal sports-

man, who landed about £600 with him lastseason, and lias now capped matters by annex-*, ing the big stake attaching to the Now .Zealajuß Cup. Halberdier's reccid success -caused Mmf to conic into favour, and tii rii:& was agr.ini approached after Lis.- striking gallops at Rio* carton cvily last -weric, and in one haad he was backed tc win £800 ; sc that it msy be *m 3 he was maas the medium of pretty solid •upport here. Xonette'e etock, as far as tb- 3Tew Ze&laael Orcp was concerned, conuscnccd to so dorra *arly last weels, and toivanls the latter «a<l there was any amount of money in the ararkeCl for him, but no takers. Another instance of a great bargain being secured at a comparatively small outlay it thel commanding-looking bay colt Wairiki, parchased by Mr Sam. Bradley from Mr Walter**, as a yearling for 70ge. Ths son of Soult az*3 Rose and White gave farther evidence of hsQ capabilities by pulling off the Great UTorffaenk Guineas at the A.R.C. meeting at Elterelr* -on Saturday last, and ms this appearance g»T« the impression that he has not so "far been thoroughly wound up, it would seem safe to predict a bright future for tire colt, provided! he goes on ths right way. Mr C. O'Connor, the new sturter loi ta« Auckland Racing Club, -mode his first appearance on Saturday, when he manipulated ths barrier at Ellerslie. His efforts a the e&rtfo£ races left no. loophole foi cpniplaint,--and so good were several of the starts-that^ lit* wa» ovated; but -nnforUrautely the- •good" impression was shattered in the inst race of ih4* day, when the start effected was one 4>f- <ti»worst -we have seen liere for many along day.However, Hie newcomer -showed himself mastwj" of the position, as he exercised *a °firm ««niroi' over the jockeys. There seems ever; reason 'top look forward to His proving a success -with tfci!' rbarrier. ■ ■ '> Rose and Gold, the full sister to Boyal Af tillery, made her debut in the Welcome .Stakes ' at Ellerslie on Saturday, and though ih< daughter of Hotchkisß and Rose -of WelHnKtorf failed to run into * place I am inclined "tH think that she will Bee a better day St. Peter, the full brother to -St. Patjl, uTitf figured among the -contestant, for "the Citj Handicap at the A.R.C. meeting an Saturday! walked away lame after the race, and. it iruj probably be some time before old John Chi>s& will get another race out of him. Several members of the Auckland ring h*S a skinner over the Melbourne Cup, as a rwrilt ol The Victory's success in thgt race; nitK there were one oi two of the pencillerß w&o suffered by laying a long price about th* soas of The Admiral on the eve of the Cup. corteaf at Flemington. The Takapuna Jockey Club h? received 4 very satisfactory list of entries foi the cluVtl spring meeting, which is tc be run at ■&£ suburban course on Novembei 29 ans Decent ber 8. A Napier sportsman, who has been attending ■ the A.R.C. meeting, waxes very enthusiastic over the Hon. J. D. Ormond's recent importa* tion, Birkenhead. He^goes so far as to sayi that the son of Orme is the fLn&st-LookLug~horE« imported into this colony from England. Aa Mr Ormond has several fine brood mares at tho Kaxamea stud, Birkenhead should haver every opportunity of making a name for him* self in the near future as a sire- ..- The Messrs Nathan have fixed upon DecemVber 31 as the date for this year' sale of tlriel;yearlings bred at -Sylvia Park. The Wellington Farm youngsters will be.sol«!. on January 3. j Foalings during the past w«ek are *s under •-'. Cambria Park Stud Company's fiinemoa, b% Gang "Forward — Primula, filly- to Cyreman; ■ Epine, by Sweet William — The Thorn, colt ta~ Cyrenian; T. Morrin's Brown .Sice, by Nordenfeldt— Ouida, colt to Phoebus Apollo; Eve, - by Brigadier — The Jilt, colt to Phoebus Apollo; Problem, by St. Hippo — Ellerslie, colfc to Seaton Delaval; J. Muir's F-olly. by <3aptivator—The Jilt, colt to Seaton Delaval r Messrs Nathan's Keepsake, by St. Leger— « Bangle, filly to Seaton Delaval; W. Handle/a Merry Maid, by Hotchkiss— Maid of Athol, fill?! to Seaton Delaval.