AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 57

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Bt Taihoa.

October 2,

The nominations received on Friday evening last for the principal events of the Auckland Racing Club's spring and summer meetings were somewhat disappointing, showing a falling off all round. The Auckland Cup entry only numbers 81, as compared with 41 last season and 52 in 1903. At the same time, it may be said that as far as the Cup is concerned there is every prospect of a satisfactory field, as the list is remarkably free from the class of animal that is at once ticked) off by the expert as having no chance. Betting on the New Zealand! Cup continues quiet here, and not a wager worthy of mention has been booked during the week. Mahutonga is quoted at 6 to 1, Noctuiform at 7 to 1, and Nightfall at 8 to 1. Surprise was expressed at the failure of Mr G. G. Stead to give the Auckland Club a nomination or two in connection with the forthcoming spring and summer meetings, but the absence of the southern sportsman's horses has since been explained. The entries came to hand after the hour fixed for the list to close.

The horses purchased by George Wright, the Auckland trainer, at the Sydney spring sale and brought across in the Zealandia are as under: — B g Ironmould, 6yrs. by Metal—Hopabout; eh g, 2yrs, by Beauchamp — Grace; b g, 4yrs, by Metal — Adelia ; and b g, 4yrs, by Far Niente — Stewardess.

Advices from Hawke's Bay are to the effect that Mr E. J. Watt will be represented by a strong team at the Auckland Racing Club's spring mec-ting.

The following foalings are reported from Wellington Park. — Crescent (Castor — Pungawerewere), coli to Hotchkiss; Harpist (Hotchkis& — Lyrelineus), colt to Seaton Delaval, Cuiralba (Cuhassier — Albatross), filly to Mensehikoff; Golden Shine (St. Legei— Polish), filly to Hotchkiss ; Auld Reekie (Cuiroesier — Coalscuttle), colt to Blue Jacket.

The withdrawn! of Scotty from the New Zealand Cuy leaver Auckland unrepresented in ihe big southern race. As Scotty was very well treated, andl had been shaping well, some of the early bettors gave him some support ior the Cup , but as the betting on the race has been extremely slack, the amount involved canrot be regarded as serious.

Sn Geo. Clifford's hoises will evidently be with us at the A.R.C. summer meeting, im-

quiriea concerning accommodation having a.lleadv been made.

A horse that has proved a distinct disappointrneiit i& Coronation, the five-year-old full brother to Record Reign. In a couple of minor events at the Avondale meeting he slipped in the field* and there was not seen much prospect of his becoming much vse as a racer.

Elspeth (Soult— Lady Ernrueline), who was taken to Brisbane a few months ago with a number of other Auckland horses owned by the Hon. H. Mosrnan, recently won a couple of races. In her last essay she carried 9.7, and won easily.

Taking a line through the running at the recent Avondale rnesting, it would seem that our three-year-old division will not be in a, position to successfully oppose anything strong from outside, Chough we may expect to see further improvement in two or three of the number, notably Puhipuhi and Apologue. Cannongate's half brother Mauku does not look like adding to the family reputation. The son ef Cuirassier figiued among the maioVas over hurdles on the third day of the Avondale meeting, and though apparently not wanting anything on the score of condition, made but a sorry showing.