AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3014, 20 December 1911, Page 57

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Br Taihoa.

December 16. The-final payments for the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap and also the acceptances forth* other six events to be decided on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, are most encouraging.. Everything seems to augur well for a .record meeting. Nineteen horses remain in "the Cup.. 23: in the Railway, and an average of 16 in the other events. Judging by the way in which the public are supporting their fancies in both the Cud and Railway, it must be granted that George Morse has succeeded admirably in his adjustments. Miscount, Court-" terfeit, Los Ahgeks, and Maxwell at pre-, sent stand, at the head of the list.. a.s the best'-suoooi'tcd Cup candidates, while Culprit, Ecfuitas. Kakama, Jack Delaval, and Miss Winsome .aye the most sought after, second .strings in doubles. The fact that Chokcbore stable has. accepted with both Counterfeit and Masterpiece is causing the punter much concern. It .was expected that on the final payments falling due Sir Geo.. Clifford would' have- disclosed his choice. However. ■ the- general impression is that even if both, three-year-olds face the-, starter Mfasterpieoe is likely to be the first horse of the" stable. Last yaar's Cup winner, Waimangu. is getting through his preparation in good style, and has-done-a couple of fast gallops that led his connections to think with some confidence that the black son of Soult mav again win the big event. Although Miss Mischief has b&sn paid up for her name also appears as a prospective starter in the Christmas Handicap, of a mile, and it is not unlikely that the shorter distance will be her mission on Boxins" D«v. Maxwell and Soultoria are stable mates, and get through most of their work together. .Inducing by their recent gallops. Soultoria certainly appears to r.ut most ffinorer into his. work, but although Maxwell is by nature a sluggard, he undoubtedly has the nace and also bettgr

staying powers. His performance m the Cup will depend very largely on his rider's ability to hustle him aLI the way. Ben Deeley has accepted the mount on Soultoria, and Morris will ride Maxwell. The latter is certainly one of the most vigorous of our light-weight jockeys, and may be able to get the best out of hi.s mount in which case the Sou It—Castor Line gelding should bo among the placed horses. Ashby, the brilliant -Obligado gelding, who has been off the scene for some time, is in active training again, and gives every promise of early adding lustre to his already unbroken record of successes. Ladv Gladstone, a sprightly two-year-old in Robertson's stable, has improved very considerably receoFly. She is a fine upstanding fillv, built on solid lines. Although not likely to prove a top-notchcr just yet, there is no doubt that she. gives promise of making a useful handicap performer. Her running in the Nursery Handicap at Ellerslie will doubtless give a good indication of her capabilities. Admiral Soult is one of the most improved horses on the Ellerslie track at present. This week he ran a pleasing seven furlongs with Master Wairiki, and beat him, which is a fair indication that ho has distinct possibilities as a middle-distance performer. Kakama. who is one of Auckland s most showy sprinters, is looking her besit at ptresent, and has got through some hist work on the track during the week. She has a growing circle of admirers for the Railway Handicap. Jack Delaval is pleasing his connections. They are very sanguine about his chances of capturing the Railway.- It .is understood that- apprentice Henning will ride Jack -Deikival and this has somewhat disocuntea his chances with mnr>v punters, because the Seaton Delaval gelding is a hard pui-.er and requires a strong boy in the. saddle. The aoceptances for the first day of the Auckland Trotting Club's summer meeting (three davs) closed this week, and are of a highly satisfactory nature, and include a number of contestants from the West Coast Gishorne, Wellington, Marlborough, and even Christchurch. The Trotting Cup of two miles, has attracted a dozen, of which Manderone is scratch. All the other events have filled remarkab'.y well, and there is every prospect of the forthcoming meeting being an easy record for the enterprising club.