AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2556, 11 March 1903, Page 47

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Tst T*ihoa.

March 9. Needless to say, Auckland punters did not participate to any extent in the fruits of Mars's victory in the Wanganui Cup, and had anyone ccme .forward and ventured xhe opinion that the veteran son of Ingomar and the Patriarch

marc Lyre would establish a fresh New Zealand record for a mile and three-quarters, he would have been regarded as a fit subject for m«-dical examination as to his sanity. At the dispersal of the New Zciland Stud Company's blood Etoslc in 1891, the Hon. J. D. Orraond secured the mare Lyre with a chestnut colt foal at foot for the modest outlay of 70gs, the youngster in question being the Wanganui Cup winner of 1903. Mars, who was first laced as a two-year old, was for ji long time out of irtcmg. und was ultimately sr-curcd from the Hon. J. D. Ormond by las present owner, Mr E. D. O'Eorke. This prolongf d spell no doubt accounts largely for the ability of the veteran son of Ingomar to show the dash of brilliancy aiid gsmeness that characterised his recent feat at the "^anganui meeting.

The Messrs Nathpji have secured a lease of Uic Xohimurama private training track, and it :s the intention of theT trsmer George Wright to keep both this and his cwn establishment at Ellerslie goi^g. As the Kohimarara track, v:th its fine sea bsach, i° an i-dce 1 place for the training of lacehorsea during the summei montlis, the Messrs Nathnn's team will 1.0 ooubt bo found theie foi the greater part of tbo warm season of "the year.

As the crpck colt Waiiiki do"s tho greater part of hip exer?:3e on a private track, it is son'ewhat diffieu't to oirive at any idea as to how the son of Soult 13 likely to shape in the putumn. So far his appearances at headquarters at Ellerslie ha/c been noted for the mild character of the tasks allotted him, but past experiences have led us to the conclusion that the Auckland colt thrives bast on a mild preparation. Mr Brsdley. 110 dcubt. knows his own business best, but on results it would stem that he threw away a good chance of winning the Wanganui Cup in not sending Wair»k: down to fulfil las engagement in that race. At the weigh*s the colt nppeared to ho.-d OrlofT pretty safe, and that gelding only suffered defeat at the hands of Mars by a narrow maTgm.

Creen ar.d Gold, the full i,ister to Waniki. continues in winning vein. At the South Auckland meeting on Saturday th» daughtei oi Soult •won a double, making seven wii.p at country meetings about Auckland during the past fortnight.

That more than useful little cro==-country Lorse Eufus pulled up lame after running in the hurdles on the first day Wanganui. Rather bad luck this for the Auckland owner, as it cannot be -expected that the horse will be able to race again for some time.