LATE SPORTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2801, 20 November 1907, Page 53

LATE SPORTING.

AUCKLAND NOTES. (Prom Oti» Own Cowwspondknt.J

November 19. On the second day of the Auckland Racing Club a spring meeting 49660 passed through' the machine. The opening event, the Spring) Handicap, fell to Loftus, who won a goba race by a neck from Lord Seaton. The Pen., rose Hurdles proved a good thing for Omatr.l who hopped out to th« front when ibe barrier! was raised, and was never headed, romping! home by six lengths from Kiatere. Soult* line again demonstrated what a good hoiset he is by fairly, bolting in with the Normanby Handicap. Delegate ran a good race, but/ had no chance with the winner. Downfall! was made favourite in the City Handicap, and he justified the confidence placed iw him by winning by a length from Te Aroh*, with Uhlander third.

Although the Musket Stakes was look*<? upon »s a good thing; for General Soult, th* result was always in doubt, and the son oi Soult only scored by a head from the Napie* filly Charteuse. The Steeplechase was n chapter of accidents. Half a mile from home Irish and Inniakillen were in the lead, but the latter fell, and this left Irish with a lead of about 30 lengths from Nor'-west. Over the last three furlongs, when called upon for a final effort, Nbr'-west answered all demands, and, wearing down Irish, he won an exciting race by two lengths. When being led *way after his rider had weighed in Nor'west dropped down dead. It was a gre«fc victory, quickly followed by a tragic death. At the time of death the son of Sou-wester—. Betty was 15 years old, and had been racing/ for 10 years. He won a number of both hurdles and steeplechases during his career. Th« Maiden Plate went to Dan I»eno, who came with a rattle over the last 50yds, and scored a half-head victory from Delegate. In the last race Frederick brought off a surprise by defeating M«heno by a length. Frederick returned s dividend of £16 for • win and Maheno £14 for .second.

On the concluding dny (Saturday) botb Hunt Club races fell to Grey Dawn, who was brought from Hawera. The winner waa favourite on each occasion. For the Maiden. Hurdles only four went to the post, Tarakihi being made a pronounced favourite. Swagsman, who was making bis first appearance after a spell, won easily by two lengths, and returned the nice price of £6 9s. Taimupo showed again that he is possessed of a. fins turn of speed by winning the ParneU Handicap easily from Loftus and Loch Buhie. who ran a dead heat for second place. Lucreco was made favourite, but the best she coulds do was to finish fifth. Tbe surprise of th« race was tho dividend on Taimupo — £8 7s. The Ascot Handicap was- a splendid race, Downfall being the only withdrawal. A furlong from home at least half a dozen had a chance, and a great finish ended in victory for Te Aroha by half a length from Uhlander. with Syren a head away. Uhlander h»d 9.0 in the wddl«, and is a good .horse. Santa Ros* was made favourite for the Juvenile Handicap, and the son of Soult won th« race easily by five .lengths in 50aec. Osgby finished second, and is not nearly ready. Tha Gordon Handicap proved a one-horee race. Devonport jumped off when the barrier was raited, .and. -cantered home from the rest ol the field, which numbered 17. The connections of. Devonport are said to have thrown in for a royal win. Other horses in the stabl* are Tui Cakabnu Akarana, and Black-and-Gold. By the way, Akarnna i» rej'ortc-d to bo amiss. The mepfiug was brought to a conclusion with the Welter Hundicnp, and the race ended in a dead heat boLneen Rauparaha and Delegate, witb Fashionabla only a neck away Rauparahd made » lot of ground from tho head of the btraight. Scotty j^ c\ uleully v past hgbt; he never had « cliauce in either race which b<> con-tc-tetl at the rueetir.p;

A perusal of the Cup weights would suggest .Master Do!nval Mahuta, Gold Crest, Chlandcr and Celtic as likely to suv>ply the winner. Cambrian will probably win the Railway Handicao.