AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2675, 21 June 1905, Page 55

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Br TAinojL. June 19.

Cablegrams concerning the freights for the V.R.C. Grand National .Steeplechase were not long to hand before Messrs DaviG and MaciDanemin decided to run tlie scratching pen through the name of Haydn, who ha-d been apportioned 11.12 in the big Flemington crosscountry race. The impost was 21b more than the weight under which Haydn ran into second place in the Winter Steeplechase at Ellerslie on the last day of the A.B.C. meeting, and certainly not one to encourage the horse owners to undertake the trip to Australia. Up to Date, who figures next to the topweight for the Flemington race, was shipped back to Australia last week, his owner, Mr Lyons, travelling to Sydney by the same boat. In his absence it is, of course, impossible to say what the Auckland penciller will elect to do with regard to the half brother to Record Reign ; but with- the horse on the same side of "the water it is quite probable that he will elect to give him a run over the steeplechase course at Flemington, though with 12.3 on his back there seems little reason to anticipate a victory for Up to Date should the field be as strong as in previous years. In both cases the weights are undoubtedly severe, and unless New Zealand horses receive better treatment owners on this side of the Tasman Sea are not likely to try their hick in Australia. The Great Northern Steeplechase winner, Kiatere was shipped to Napier during the week to fulfil his engagements at the meetings on the East Coast. Kuua and Kremlin went south by the same boat. Mr A. Coleman leaves for Australia next Monday, taking with him his old 'chaser Dingo, who will again fulfil engagements over the fences on the other side. H. Phillips, who had the mottnt on Irish when he won the Great Northern Hurdle Race at Ellerslie a couple of weeks back, goes across to ride the veteran jumper in his race. Old Nor' -west's remarkable return to form at the A.R.C. jumping meeting at Ellerslie caused inquiries to be made for his purchase, and it is understood that a cheque for £200 failed to tempt Mir Selby to part with the aged son of Sou-wester, who, if I remember rightly, did not cost him anything like one-fourth of that sum when he effected his purchase last August. For some time after passing into Selby's hands Nor' -west, who has won in all 21 races in 93 starts, did service as a hack for his owner, who is clerk of the course at Ellerslie and Avondale on race days, and followed, the Pakuranga hounds, Selby being the club's huntsman. The Great Northern Hurdle Race winner Irish, who had the misfortune to get injured at the double jump during the running of the Great Northern Steeplechase, is doing fairly well. His owner, Mr J. B. Williamson, has some hope of pulling the son of Eton through. It is, however, quite clear that he will not be available for the Grand National at Riccarton, and it will probably be some considerable time before he can be again trained. The St. Leger gelding Scotty, who was treated to a spell after the A.E.C. autumn

meeting, is to be put ir.io work again almosi immediately.