AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 56

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa.

October 16. The inauguration of the Auckland Trotting Club’s spring meeting on the new SU at Alexandra Park is the all-impor-tant northern' fixture this momh On ac count of most owners and tramers bem„ ■without facilities for training their charges until the last week or two the received wore numerically somewhat below last spring, 'but it is rather a striking compliment to Handicapper hdwards that after his adjustments were made the a f ce ;?^ received showed a very slight dech e the nominations. The class of trotters and pacers competing also are of a higher standard than ..have oreviously been seen on the programme of a spring trotting meeting in the north. . , There is at present a very large contingent of horses on the Ellerslie tracks m the mornings going through their preparations for the‘forthcoming Auckland Racing Clubs coring fixture next month. The nominations that closed last Friday are of a distinctly encouraging nature, although the number .of southern horses is not large. One of the most improved horses at present in training is Maheno. She is gallopinor in gre-at h€-a<rt, and the other morning slie beat Master Wairiki on the earrd over six furlongs in Imin 19sec. Antoinette, the brilliant Soult mare that captured the Easter Handicap and Great Northern. Oaks this year, is again showing a lot of dash. She should be in racing trim again shortly. A lot of time, patience, and money was expended on Master Theory last season, but although he did some fast galloping on the track failed badly when carrying silk, tor the last couple of months attempts have been made to induce this refractory tempered son of Soult to try his skill as a jumper, but although he clears the obstacles ' when induced to jump. Master Theory has apparently a rooted dislike for the illegitimate game. ' ' Waimangu, the last Auckland Cup winner, with his stable companion, Santa Rosa, are doing steady work, and last week gave a pleasing exhibition in good time, when they finished abreast over a mile, which ■was registered in Imin 46sec. _ Despite Domino’s very mediocre form at Avondale- last month his. Waikato owner has taken him south for the Trent-bam meeting, nnd intends then taking him on to Canterbury to contest the New Zealand Clip. There are still sportsmen in the north who regard Domino’s chance for the big event with favour. Maxwell is one of the finest-looking horses at present exercising at Ellerslie, and his connections entertain very sanguine hopes of his being one of the best fancied horses for the in fact, he has already been strongly backed in doubles with the sprightly Jack Delaval, who is sure to be a popular contestant for the Railway Handicap. . . Sir Walter is one of the most promising sprinters over half a mile in work at present. Ho can keep -his eneedy half brother Tattoo busy in their work. . Miss Winsome and Malwa, who finished first and second in the Avondale Guineas, run in Imin 42 4-ssec-r-record for the ©vent, —are both striding out nicely, aud there is very little to choose between them. They should both be useful in handicap events this season. Kaliama is also a promising performer on the track, and on Saturday covered a half mil© on the sand in 50 l-ssec. Her style was very convincing. Dawn has come on splendidly of late, and gave a fine show on Saturday by defeating Sir Artegal, one of the best track performers, over seven furlongs in Imin 32sec. Of the jumpers at present at work Quex is the -most consistent fencer. Regain, who registered a good win over hurdles at Avondale on the first day, but came to grief at the thjrd hurdle next day, is improving in his essays over the battens, but is still far from sure. Formidable is a bold jumper who’ is likely to be heard of soon, and Captain Paul also has given several perfect exhibitions lately, while Webfoot’s jumping over steeplechase obstacles is most encouraging. Master Soult has made-hie reappearance at Ellerslie. The old champion is carrying too much Condition at present, and will not be ready for racing, ever if he can stand a preparation, for some time to come.