AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2622, 15 June 1904, Page 51

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

fir Txinox. The Auckland Racing Club's Great Northern meeting was brought to a close on Saturday afternoon. When the returns came to be totalled up at the end of the day it was found that in all £31,031 had been handled (last day, £11,590) during the gathering, an increase over last year'B figures cf £2076. This satisfactory state oi affairs, coupled with good racing, gave the metropolitan authorities every reason to feel elated, particularly in view of the fact that totahsator returns in and about Auckland have for some months past been showing a falling away. The second day's racing was on Wednesday last, when the course was heavy and holding, and the principal events were the Great Northern Steeplechase, the Bermiera Hurdles, and the Prince of Wales's Handicap. The big crosscountry race came first, and when the numbers were hoisted it was found that the withdrawals consisted of Spalpeon. Killarney, Dingo," Lady Bell, Kanaka. Ranana, Eclair, Frances Lovejoy, and Puffing Billy, leaving a field of 11 runner 3, and a good-looking lot at that. Papatu, who wore a decidedly improved appearance, was made better favourite than the top-weight Haydn, and the sop of Crackshot moved in most attractive style Tn his preliminary. At the outset Cxespin and Moccasin ran into the lead, and setting a solid pace the pair were closely associated for the best part of a circuit, when Hylas- ran up second, and was within three lengths of Moccasin going over tho water jump, with the others a.ll well up, with the exception of Slow Tom, who wa3 whipping ia the field. So iai the jumping had

been perfect, and Hyias joining Moccasin going round the back the two light-weights were right out by themeselves. Mounting the hill to th^ post-and-rail fence, down the hill they came at a great bat. When the double was reached Papatu and Haydn had improved their positions. Hutana refused the fencs, and was pulled up. As they raced to the old water jump the colours of Moccasin were the first tc catch the eye as they landed over the obstacle, and then came a little sensation, caused by Haydn slipping after negotiating the obstacle and unshipping his rider, Sarh Fergus. Moccasin showed the way -ur> throusH ike trees, 3?apatix being within a couple of lengths of him when they crossed the first post and rail fence. The second obstacle beat Papatu, and the mishap to the Crackshot gelding left Moccasin with such a commanding lead that it was felt that bar an a-coident the Hippocampus gelding had the race in safe keeping. As Slow Tow was seen finishing at a great rate there were cries in favour of the southerner, but though the son of St. Ives put in a fine piece of work in the closing stage he never really had a chance* of catching the Waikato horse, who leaped the last fence in fine style and came on and won hia race by five lengths in Bmin 38see, which must be regarded as good time, considering ths condition of the ground. After his defeat in the Maiden. Steeples of the first day it may be said that Moccasin's win came in the shape of a surprise. At times he looked in danger from over-jumping, but Quinton handled him. in good 1 style, and deserves a word of praise in connection with the victory that went down to the credit of Mr W. Morgan's brown gelding. On the card Moccasin figures as a si-s-year-old gelding by Hippocampus, out of an unknown mare, but since the running of the lacs the mystery has been cleared up, and we find that his dam was no other than Maranon, so that on the score of breeding he has every reason to be regarded as a stayer and a wellbred one. His sire, Hippocampus, was by Dainty Ariel from the Fisherman mare Fanny Fisher, while his dam, Maranon, was got by Tjeolinus from Amazon, by Antero3 from Revoke, by Sir Hercules. Mr W. C. Webb's Revoke was in her time a performer of no mean order, and she traced back to good Arab blood, and left, amongst other horses^ Duntrcon, Premier, Truman, Card, The Governor. Trickster, all of whom have sired winners over fences. Had this been known possibly Moccasin would have been treated with a Jittle v more respect beforehand. Burns, who had the mount on Papatu, \\a3 at tho son of» Crackshjt with the whip when he came to grief at tho post-and-rail fence, and I don't think he would have peen it out with Moccasin had he stood up, but a good word may be said for Slow Tom, who ran a remarkably good race, when it is remembered that he was off the scene nt training headquarters for severa.l days prior to the meeting owing to injuries sustained in an indifferent schooling performance shortly after his arrival in Auckland. The son of St. Ives was undoubtedly the unfortunate horse in the Steeples, and we may expe.ct to hear of his doing better things over the big (fences. It is a long cry to the big jumping meeting at ChristchuTch, but from what we saw of them at Ellsrslie I should say that Eoseshoot aad Slow Tom will be found figuring "as one of the favourite combinations for the principal events vhen they come up for decision at Riccarton, ail going well in tha interim. The eight coloured on the card for the Remuera Hurdles sported silk, Aka Aka being madj a rather better favourite than Up-to-Date. When the barrier was released the Great Northern Hurdle winter was quickly on his feet, but he was steadied at the end of two furlongs, and Mars and Hippowai filled the role of pacemakers. Mars wearied of the struggle five furlongs from home,- and Hippowai went on by himself. Aka Aka was making up his ground in fine style across the top stretch, and when they got to the home turn he looked like repeating his victory of the opening day, but Hippowai kept him at bay, and sailed home a winner in quite comfortable style. Up-to-Dale never once flattered the hopes of his ■admirers, and he was under the whip when half the journey was completed. _The winner, who is by Hippocampus out of Tho Orphan, has Landed no less tha-n 10 races since February, completely exploding the opinion held in some quarters that he could not stay out a strongly-run two miles. A field of 16 weighed out for the Prince of Wales Handicap, for which the pony mare Avalanche and Geordie claimed most "support, while Paritutu and Marshal Soult also claimed a strong following. Tukapa was the first to show out, bub they had hardly settled into their strides before Anchorite took charge, and she acted the part of pacsmaker in the ruu up the back, folloVed closely by Paritutu and Nevrtowu, with Black and Gold most jjrorninent cf the others. Going through the cutting Anchorite had a length the best of Black and Gold* who was followed by Marshal Soult, who mada his way into second place as the field 1 clashed down past the four-furlong post. Picking up ground with every strule Marshal Souli; had headed Anchorite at the home turn, and ho raced into the straight followed by Avalanche, Newtown, and Black and Gold. Drawing away, the Soult horse finished up .his task liko a tradesman, winning comfortably by three lengths from Avalanche. This is the first race Marshal Soult hes won since he passed into the hands of Mr T. Hughes at 500gs last August. ', On tho concluding day, when the ground wag still holding, the first event of note was the York Handicap, Scotty being made a strong favourite in the field of 17 starters that lined up [for the mile race. The colours of Newtown and Durable were the first to show out in front, and then St. Olga went on in front, but the daughter of St. Ledger had to sive way to

Geordie at the herd of the stirught. "When Leads were fairly in a line for home Scotty, who had always been well vp towards the front, shot into the lead, and the St. Legei gelding simpiy played with, his fieU from the distance, winning as he liked by a, couple of lengths from Geordie. Eleven went to the post foi the Winter Steeples, the only one struck off the card being Moccasin. Haydn was made favourite. The lightly-weighted Stockman carried on the paca well out in front of his field until the back stretch was reached the last time, where Slow Torn sot on terms with him. Tliev jumped the first post and rails- together, tout at the second Stockman was again in front. As the two leaders reached the stone wall, "Slow Tom wins!" came from many lips. It was all too soon, however, for the son of St. I%'ea blundered batKy in negotiating the obstacle, and fell. This mishap left Stockman, Eclair, Papatu and Haydn to fight out the finish, and below the distance it wns difficult to say how the verdict would go. Stockman was the first to crack, and Eclair taking command just as they drew up to the main stand, came on and won. an interesting race by two lengths fiom Papatu. who just lasted long enough to beat the favourite HAydn a length for second place. Eclair is an aged gelding, bay in colour, by Mystical out of Makakii'i, and the property of Mr W. Hickey, Slow Tom was " again the unfortunate horse of the field, as he was going so well within himself- at the time of tho mishap that it is almost certain he would have scored bad he stood up. Cannongate, at the instigation of the stewards, was examined by a veterinary surgeon as io fitnes3 ■ to compete owing to tho condition of one of his hind legs, which was heavily bandaged. He was allowed to start, but was never prominent at any part of the journey. The Campbell Hurdle Race also attracted 11 starters, Hautapu and Killarney being most in demand, in that order. The favourite and Cavalry were soon engaged in forcing the pace, and the pair were s'.ill in front when the last three furlongs came to be entered on, at which point Creusot, who had baen coming well from the half-mile post, shot up. Hautapu was beaten before the straight was reached, and Cavalry had a slight advantage at the last fance, but in negotiating the obstacle hr> touched slightly. A great set-to was witnessed in the run --to the post, and the issue was still in doubt when the contestants reached the end of the main stand. Here Mars, who had a good run on the inside, got the best of it, and the veteran, finishing up his task in most determined' fashion, won by half a length. This is the veteran son of Ingotnar's last race, Mr E. D. O'Rorke having announced his intention of pensioning the old fellow off, win or lose, before the race. I was in error last week in stating that the Great Northern Hurdle winner, Aka Aka, was bred by his owner, Mr A. J. Kidd, and find that as a foal at foot Aka Aka was purchased by the gentlemen in question, the dam Mysterious and foal falling to his bid at the sale of the Motukorea stud in December, IS9B, for 24gs. The gelding was bred by the Messrs Alison. Local bookmakers have had a good time as far as their Great Northern double books were concerned, the majority of them not having written Aka Aka and Moccasin, while in the cases of those who did the diva, were so small that JE3OO or £400 would cover the outgoings. The biggest winner over the combination, appears to be F. Davis, the well-known jockey, who took 500 to 3 about the combination from a Wellington penciller. During the running of the Great Northern Steeplechase Moccasin hit one of his fences, sustaining injuries necessitating a test, and was not seen out on the last day of the A.R.C. meeting. Haydn was making heavy weather of it when he came down in the G-reat Northern Steeplechase, and, game horse though he undoubtedly is, the general opinion is that ho would not have proved equal to gaining a place had he stood up under the impost of 12.7. Hutana was badly cut on one of his knees when racing in the Great Northern Steeplechase on Wednesday last, and this, coupled with the re-appearance cf swelling of an old wound, will probab y prevent his racing again this season. The secretary of the Auckland Trotting Club (Mr C. F. Monk) has received a- communication from Mr D. Price, owner of the champion trotter Ribbonwood, intimating that the horse will give an exhibition at the club's meeting .in his way through to Sydney. The gathering is fixed for Saturday and Wednesday, June 18 and "22. Royal Artillery's full sister, Rose Shield, was not among the horses offered for sale by Mx Hugo Friedlander on Friday last, it being the Ashburlon sportsman's intention to keep the daughter of Hotchkiss for breeding purposes. Rose Shield won her first race as a three-year-old last Wednesday at Ellerslie, when she defeated Sir Gilcad a neck in the Ranfurly Handicap, fun over the mile course. The sire Cuirassier, now some 17 or 18 years old, was offered for sale by public auction on Friday last, but the best bid was 140gs, and he was passed in. Had anyone sprung a farther bit of lOgs I believe the Messrs Duder would have been tempted to part with him owing to their having no further use for the horao. Kanaka's absence from the Great Northern Steeplechase was due to the j>ld fellow having developed signs of soreness after a very good gallop over the big fences a couple of clays before the race. On the same- day that the Great Northern Hurd'e Race winner, Aka Aka, and his dam' were sold for 24gs, his siie, Ecgel, was knocked down for 35gs. —

That Messrs Hugo and Max FriedlanSer are letermined to go out of horse-racing in Auckland was clearly demonstrated last Friday, when, at the Harp of Erin stables, the bulk of the thoroughbreds owned by them here were disposed of by auction and private sale. jVVhen paraded, Gladstone, the two-year-old ful] brother to G-ladsome, failed to attract a higher Ind than 225g5, but was subsequently sold privately to Mr Simmelhag, a patron of Charley RVeal's stable, at the reserve figure of 400gs, ."ivhich ia only 95gs more than the northern sportsman paid for the chestnut colt as a yearling. Ottoman, the two-year-old full brother to Starshoot, and as yet untried, went %o Mr W. Morgan, the owner of the Great {Northern Steeplechase winner, for 175gs, an sdvance of only sgs on the price paid for Slim by Mr Friedlander as a yearling. He is ■» big, commanding-looking colt, but in all ..probability will be given time before being 'palled upon to show what he is capable of, as early handling might develop trouble in his forelegs. The chestnut gelding Ropa, by St. •Xieger out of Brown Alice, who has proved a 'disappointment since he won the Avondale and Great Northern Guineas in the spring, ,when he cost Mr Friedlander 600gs, went to Mr Davis, the Wellington trainer, who made purchase on behalf of Mr D. Ross, of jthat city, at 305gs. Kamo, by Seaton Delaval— JWaitemata, went to Mr A. Champion, of Auckland, at 300gs, and I understand that the bay filly is likely to be sent across to Australia shortly. Mr Simnielhag, who is evidently going into the racing business seriously, is one of our up-country publicans, and was "again in the field when the yearling halfjbrother to Gladsome was offered on Mr Max JFriedlander's behalf. He secured the son of fPhcebus Apollo and Miss Gladys at 255g5, ..■which is 30gs more than he brought at Sylvia •Park, when Mr Friedlander was declared the '..purchaser. J. Thorpe, who trained for the fi'riedlanders, paid lOOgs for the Cyrenian — Kiljm'eny yearling colt, and on Saturday the yearling colt by Seaton Delaval and Campania, and -(therefore full brother to that brilliant little an are, Miss Delaval, was quitted privately for '450gs. The buyer was Mr W. Foss. Mr Fried•Sander has announced his intention to sell the , of his racing stock in Christchurch I after the Canterbury Jockey Club's New Zealand Grand National meeting. , \ On~ Saturday J. W. Taggart; purchased the - l>ay filly Portland Lass, by Bill of Portland — "'Aorere, for 140gs. Roseshoot was not seen out again after the Oreat Northern Hurdle Race, owing to injury to a foreleg. i Although some of our suburban clubs have j liad reason to complain of the shrinkage in j itote returns this season, it seems that the ] 'A.E.C authorities have, on the other hand, j ground for feeling thoroughly satisfied, as, j jon going through the record, I find that ] '£156,593 has been handled this year, against jC156,414 last season.