TALK OF THE DAY

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 54

TALK OF THE DAY

Bx Ssxtinel.

THE AUCKLAND MEETING.

The acceptances for the principal events 't o be decided at the Auckland Racing Club's Cup meeting are very satisfactory from a numerical and qualitative point of J view, and the running is sure to b» followed with a good deal of interest. A field of 18 remains in the Auckland Cup, and includes some of the best horses we have in training. Zimiwerman, with 41b i less than ho carried in the New Zealand C\ip, is evidently to be sent after the laurels hp lost at the Riccarton meeting, and it is possible he will give a good ehowiner. Horses racing under weight have made I a bettor showing- in the- Auckland Cup than they have in the two-mile ev<*nt at Riccarton. Amongst the winners, for instance, have bepn Wairiki 9.8 and iLaJmtonga 8.12. Zimmerman won last y-piar under 8.4. and has now the substantial rise of 151b on that burden. Th« stablo companions, Bobrikoff and Downfall, have each ha<l their engagements continued, and if the former goes to the post his form should set at rest the point ; as to whether ho is a stayer or merely a j brilliant horse over a middle distance. I Master Delaval, with the readjusted pound- [ age, may give Downfall more work to beat [ him than was the case at Riccarton, as he now meets tho Cup winner on 171b better terms. California has been dropped in the weights considerably below the opinions held about him earlier in the year, and another brilliant horse in All Red maybe found running on a1?a 1 ? he finished in pleasing 6tyle in the. Fcndalton Handicap. This stable has also another representative in Diabolo, who ran a really good two miles in the Canterbury Cup, whilst the balaiice should materially assist in making an interesting raoe. The Railway Handi- j cap has a good field of smart sprinters engaged, including Master Soult, Grenadier, Armlet, Flitaway, and Dawn, who all ran well at Riccarton, whilst it will be interesting- to note how they will fare wE«n measuring strides with Aborigine. Royal Soult, and others who displayed good form in the North Island. Several of those left in the Derby are not likely to be eeen at the post, but a good race ehouldbe eeen between Husbandman, Aborigine, Master Soult, St. Aidan. and Diabolo. The Royal Stakes and Foal Stakes have excellent fields still engaged, and altogether the club has every prospect of the chief items in their programme providing some first-class sport.