AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3034, 8 May 1912, Page 50

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa

May 6. With the Avondale meeting over there is a lull in racing at this end ot the Dominion. Before the Racing Commission found it necessary to prune down Auckland’s number of racing days, the Takapunu Jockey Club held a meeting before the Lllerslie steeplechase gathering in June, and it was at the North Shore course that punters usually studied the form of jumpers taking part in the Great Northern events. T hat, however, has been denied this season, so that the only meeting that is now likely to have any bearing on the A.R.O. winter meeting next month will be Uie Wanganui gathering. Already several northern horses have left for the West Coast, and before the end of the week most of our best jumpers will be en route! for Wanganui The handicaps for the Great Northern Steeplechase and Hurdles appear to-day, and have been the subject of discussion in sporting circles. Some little surprise was manifest at the fact of Sir William Russell’s well performed Cora7.cn 12.6 being given 51b more weight than Antarctic, while Continuance, with 11.12 is not considered to he harshly dealt with. Pleiades who won the Steelechase at Avondale very easily has been awarded 11.6, or lib more than the sturdy little Sol. Paritutu with 10.10 is one of the old brigade that still stands high in the handicappepr’s estimation, despite his advanced years. Loch Fyno, another winner of the event, is let in with 10.4. Of the lighter-weighted horses Beeline 10.13, Merriwai 9.9, Hautere 9.7, are likely to come in for support. Of the 30 handicapped there are a dozen that have not yet performed over big country, and the presence of these will give the punters something to work out before making their final selections. In the Great Northern Hurdles the handicapper had to deal with 36 horses, and of those Black Northern has been selected to take pride of place with the substantial steadier of 11.9. Presently, who is regarded by many as the best hurdle horse; in the country, despite his poor performances at Ellcrslie and Avondale recently, is entrusted with 11.1. This poundage will not frighten his admirers, and he it) sure to be one of the best-backed hordes in the race. Whakaweira 10.13 carries a pound more than the other Hawke’s Bay candidate Waiputere, and each has to concede weight to the consistent Don Quex 10.6, Sandy Paul 9.9, Blue Mountain 9.2, each of whom has many staunch friends in the north who are quite satisfied with the imposts allocated to their fancies. Bully 9.4, a previous winner of the event, is not harshly treated. 'll!© West Coast representative The Native 10.6 and the Hon. Mr Ormond's Napper 10.6 are both likely to stand well up on the posit betting market. ‘The defeat of Prince Soult, the best twoyear of the season in Auckland at both Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay, was rather a sorry shock to his northern admirers. His performances at Ellerslio utertainlv marked him out for distinction, and his defeat at Trentham on his first journey from home was explained awav by the Soult youngster not taking kindly to running in the opposite direction to that which he was used to. But on his second journey from home he would have overcome this possible handicap. Now he has suffered defeat badly in each of his essays. There can be no doubt, however, but what Prince Soult is a good one, and can be expected to do well next season.