AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 55

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

itT Taihoa.

July 29. j Mr Thomas Fenton, whose death M Perth was announced in a cable mesage from West Australia cm Friday, was well known in sporting and mining circles in Auckland some years igo. Mr Fenton bought a number of yearlings in Auckland, but outside Prophecy (by Phoebus Apolk) — Problem), a half-sister to the brilliant mare Solution, he did not have much luck with his purchases. After his performance in the Winter Steeplechase at the <sreat Northern meeting at Ellereli© last month, when the old fellow came home very tired, not c, few ticked Kaydn off as x spent light, consequently those who held this view were not prepared for the veteran's victory in the Wellington 'Steeplechase last Wednesday, in which, after a ding-dong battle all the way up the -straight with Eveniode, he emerged triumphant by a head. After all, it would seem that Haydn is not yet on the down grade, but the fact that he has contracted a penalty of 141b in the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase as the result of his head victory will cause his most ardent admirers to question his ability to score in the big Riccarton race. He will now be asked to meet Evenlode on several pounds worse terms than in the Wellington Steeplechas- , won by the narrow margin of a head, after a, stiff battle in the closing stages. It is instances such as this that causes one to question the wisdom of fixed penalties. j Cuiragno, who has been allotted top weight ! in the Grand National Hurdle Race, has been | shaping nicely in his- work at Ellerslie. He | was shipped south yesterday under the care of D. Moraghan, who also took Silica with him. j Scotty has been kept in steady work at training headquarters at ElleTshe, and the j veteran is looking remarkably well for this time of year Iris, Loch Fyiie, and Aqua Eegia, who have been accepted for in the Grand Nutumal engagements, are going on atisfactorily in , their training. J The Ktalliona Powerful and Gladstone are I in the private sale list of a local stock ; auctioneering firm. j Altihouga given a> winning chance in the C.J.C. Winter Cup with 9.7, the Waikato-o-wnied mare Certainty has been ellowed to drop out of that event. Ironmould, who hes been off the scene for some time, is to be taken in hand -again during the present week. The Metal gelding is still under A. Robertson's care. The programme of the Avondale Jockey Club ioj> t£a ensuing season haa been drawn.

up, and ihe gum of £3600 » to be distributed in prize money. The spring meeting will absorb .£2l£U>. and the stakes for the seaeon will represent an increase of £345 on last year's .tdded money. According to private information received here, the injuries sustained by the exAuckland horseman it. Phillips whilst Tiding at a recent Sydney meeting axe .of a serious character, the medical men the case as critical. Auoklwnd enthusiasts -wire- saw Romany Lad race art Napier are of the opinion that he will run a good race in .the C.J.C. National Steeplechase. Good judges say he covered more ground than anything -etee, -and was never really at his top. With Xiatere, Haydn, Iris, Inniskillen, and Loch Fyne among the acceptors in the Grand .National Steepleohase, there appears a good shance of the stake coming to Auckland. In the Hurdles all the Auckland horses nominated with the exception of Nestator have been left in, and as Cuiragno, Lady Hune, Irish, Shrapnel, Lanfflock, JLaiteue, Uranium, Cavalry, Ben Jonson, Aqua Begia, and Lebeau are aged northern owners may also be said to hold a strong hand in this race. It is reported 4hat Uranium, who figures among the acceptors in ehe C.J.C. Gmnd National Hurdle Rae with 10.*, has been acquitting herself well in her schooling over hurdles.