AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 8 July 1903, Page 56

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Bt Taihoa.

Speculation on the New Zealand Cup ha 3 "been fairly brisk during the week, the biggest wager booked being £2000, which was taken About Wairiki at an average of about 11$ to 1# 600 ito 35 was booked about Shrapnel, and as ether smaller sums were pencilled, the son of Workman shortened in price. Other lines inolude 500 to 30 Lady Lillian, 500 to 15 Mars and Cure, 1000 to 20 Kohupapa, 1000 to 26 Lavalette, 500 to 20 Kelburn, with more wanted at »bout 100 to 3. The leading quotations now are 8 to 1 against Wairiki, 100 to 8 Lady Lillian *nd Shrapnel, 100 to 6 Orloff, 100 to 5 Achilles, Halberdier, Pampero, Heroism, Kelfcurn, and Canteen.

Hipetone, the half brother to> Explosion, who has been nominated for the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase, will have to show something better than his performance at Ellershe last month to warrant his being sent south to fulfil his engagement. The St. Hippo gelding has turned out twice across country, falling at the sod wall the firßt time and running off at the same fence in the second race.

The Auckland sportsman, Mr John Marshall, lias nominated his filly by Haut Brion from {Necklet for the A.J.C. Derby of 1904.

Nor'-west, Tresham, and Haydn are a trio *>f Auckland fencers that are being kept in ffteady work at training head quarters, and arc foing along all right.

At a meeting of the committee of tbe Auckland Racing Club on Thursday last Major Pitt and Mr G. W. A. Patterson were appointed to represent the club on the Racing Conference.

The Cyrenian — Moonga colt, who claims half "brothership to Seahorse, sustained an injury while galloping in the paddock the other day. Blood-poisoning followed, and the colt is in U very bad way. Even if saved, it is a question as to whether the syndicate owning him ■will ever be able to put the colours up. This is decidedly hard luck for those concerned, tone and all of whom are sportsmen of the right Sort.

The high-priced Hotchkiss— Formo colt, J>wned by the same syndicate, is going on very taicely, but I hardly think he will be asked lo toe the line in the early part of the coming keason.

All being well, Auckland stables will be represented by a strong contingent at tbe New Zealand Grand National meeting. A brace of jumpers from these parts got away with the two Nationals at Riccarton last year, and theie ■.re more unlikely things than a repetition of (the dose this year.

Cordon Rouge, the Avondale Stakes winner, who had to be treated to a long spell, has been "taken up again, and is doing steady work at Ellerslie.

Acting on a letter sent in by Mr R. Spratt, 4he committee of the "New Zealand Trotting Association have appointed a small cub-com-mittee to visit Auckland and inquire into certain allegations against the Auckland Club. Mr Snratt is to be present, and rumour has it that there"will be some sensational develop•JAiits.