AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3035, 15 May 1912, Page 51

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa.

The general entries for the Auckland Racing Club's winter meeting are of a highly satisfactory nature, and easily constitute a record. The acceptances for the two big jumping events leave 25 in the Great Northern Hurdles and 27 in the Great Northern Steeplechase. The weights for the big steeplecliase events at Wanganui and Ellerslie are, relatively, much the same. Mr Morse has made his Wanganui adjustments on a 21b higher scale. Corazon, the top weight in both, was awarded 12.8 at Wanganui (he has since been scratched on account of a mishap) and 12.6 ifc_ the Great Northern. In the case of Antarctic, Continuance, Pleiades, Dorando, and Taiha, the difference is 31b in each case in favour of Wanganui. Sir William Russell's horse is cetrainly made a champion on handicaps, but when his record is considered possibly his imposts are not overpowering. He won th© Great Northern last year with 10.9 against Antarctic 11.12), who ran second; but later Corazon carried 12.3 in the Grand National Steeplechase, and was only beaten bv a head by Paritutu 10.2, with Antarctic 12.2 third Besides Corazon won the July Steeplechase at Wellington with 11.1, when he beat Hoanga 11.0. Continuance, who makes his debut over big country at Wanganui, with an impost of 12.0, 'cannot be regarded as leniently treated, because there is no guarantee that he will take kindly to cross-country racing. However, gossip has it that the champion hurdler has been set for the Wanganui Steeplechase, and possibly he may be as brilliant over big country as over feh© hurdles. At all events, the Gisborn© horse is a great weightcarrier, and if he negotiates the big obstacles satisfactorily, he must be considered a formidable candidate. Paritutu, a wellperformed jumper, is not taking part at Wanganui, but stands well in the Great Northern Steeplechase with 10.10. He also claims engagement in the Great Northern Hurdles with a pound less. Pleiades, who is one of the best-fancied at Wanganui, has certainly got his full share in 11.8. He won the Tamaki Steeplechase over the Ellerslie country last year with 10.0, and at Avondale last month won the Steeplechase with 11.2; but the company he met was by,no means as strong as at Wanganui. Wihakawera, who won the Great Northern Hurdles last year, has withdrawn from the event this year, while accepting for both big steeplechase events, which evidently indicates that big country is in future to be his mission. With 10.10 he is one of the best-fancied horses contesting the Wanganui Steeplechase. In the Century Hurdles The Native is ruling favourite with 10.7, while Cornelian, Sandy Paul, and Merry Lad are all well supported. The result of the two big jumping events at Wanganui will naturally have a strong bearing on the betting market so far as the Great Northern events are concerned; but, nevertheless, the double betting for Ellershe is already keen, and Presently, Napper, and Koran are best-favoured candidates for the Hurdles, while Antarctic, Sol, Paritutu, Whakawera, Pleiades, and Blue Mountain are the " legs" in th© Steeplechase. The jumper, Seaman, has had a run of particularly bad luck during the last couple of months. His record this season is 11 starts, of which h© has won one, been second on six occasions, third twice, and unplaced twice. Considering Seaman started favourite on nearly every occasion, his supporters got poor satisfaction. The deflection of Corazon from the Wanganui Steeplechase came as a surprise, but it now transpires that Sir Win. Russell's crack 'chaser hit himself while being exercised at Hastings on Friday. The injury, however, was not serious, and the son of Oaeur de Lion will doubtless contest th© Great Northern Steeplechase next month, of which he is one of the favourites. Ben Deeley's two winning mounts at the Egmont meeting last week brines his total for th© season up to 77, which is the total that earned Hector Gray the position of premier jockey last season. Deeley has yet to score nine more wins to equal C. Jenkins's record number of winning mounts for one season, and it seems quite reasonable to exnect he will do that, even though there are less racing days this season than hitherto. Mr P. Shields, the amateur rider, who created an excellent impression bv his riding of Comedian, the winner of the Corinthian Handican at Ecmont. has in the past distinguished himself as an aamtcur. The hurdler. Black Northern, who holds —ride of nlaee in the weights in the Great Northern Hurdles, has won six 'hurdle races in succession this season, was sold on Fnda.v last bv Mr Hui/h Mackenzie to Mr W. Montgomery for 4<Wga. After fulfilling his enfratrcmenrs at E'Wslie next month, the Sa.lvadan gelding will be sent across to Australia. During this season Mr Montgomery has disposed of both Hoanga and Seldom on the other side. Master Poult was sold *as+, week under the hammer to Mr C. Hosk : "s for 135crs Less than 12 months ago IOOOgs was refund for the Soult—T/ady Hester horse. Surplus, a recent recruit to the jumping game, won the Manawapou Hurdles at Egmont. and returned a dividend of ovr- a quarter of a, 'centurv. He earns no pfraltv tii the Great Northern Hurdles, in which be is engaged at the minimum weight of 9.0.