AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3168, 2 December 1914, Page 51

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

(From Och Own Coheespondent ) November 30. Beautiful weather favoured the Takapuna Club at its first clay’s racing on Wednesday last, and a big crowd participated in the sport. Hadj was made a hot favourite in the Trial Handicap, but failed to jumn off well, and was beaten o”t of a place, ing fourth, after putting up a lot of good work in the last three furlongs. Christie won the race in good style. The Sylvia Park mare has been for a long time trying to break in for a win, and though she won on Wednesday, they were a poor lot that she had to beat. Plenipotent, halfbrother to Prince Mcrriwce. ran very green in the Trial, but ho put in the long ones in the straight run. Ho is a big chestnut, and time will do a_ lot for him. Lady Sabretache is by no moans a good jumper, but she just strolled in at the finish in the Ponui Hurdles. She made her run three furlongs from home, and never had any trouble in settling the matter. In schooling she does not jump well, but there was nothing wrong with her fencing on Wednesday. Glenalbyn was made a very hot order for the Ponui Hurdles, and at the mile had a chance. Unfortunately for his backers, the distance extended further than that, and he was a long way back at tlm finish. With King Lupin any old _ price in the Borough Handicap, punters did not bother much about him; but they got _ a shock when he dashed up in the straight and just failed to get Dclenda. He returned a royal price for second place. Gold Necklet drew a bad position in the Borough Handicap, but jumped away well, and was up with Tripoli in the lead for the first few furlongs. In the run home neither was in the fighting line. Loyal Arch just made hacks of her opponents in the Cambrian Handicap after coming right down on her nose at' the tarn. The fi% has been running very consistently, and in a poor field on Wednesday she was a strong favourite. Soultano won the Melrose Handicap at

the right end. He gave the loaders a good start into the straight, and then came on and won nicely. Gold Lace was w r cll backed in the Cambrian Handicap,, but never hit anywhere near the front, and was well back at the finish. Bisogne drew the fence in the Cambria Handicap, and this went a long way towards securing second money for Mr A. Alexander’s Bezonian colt. Kitty Bellairs carried her 9.0 much better than was expected, and though beaten by Soultanc, she fought it cut gamely over the last bit. F. Stennings’s useful horse Monojack won the big race in good style, but had to do his best at the finish to sh.°«ke off Royal Irish, who hung on like a Briton, and only just got beaten. Goldsizc slipped to the front halfway up the running in the St. Andrew’s Handicap, but just when he looked a likely winner Monojack and Royal Irish headed him off. Phosphorous was first into the straight after a lot of hard riding by C. Brown to get him there. The start was perfect, and for 100yds the whole field ran in a line. Spalfish never had to go more than threequarters pace to win the Tiri Hurdles. Ho was always in front, and though Pip and Ruffy got near him two furlongs from home, it was only on suffrance, for as soon as Tutchon gave the Spalpeen gelding his head he came right away again. The Cheltenham Handicap was a good race. Tinopai and Tattoo cleared out from the field, and had the race to themselves. Patronale, the favourite, got a bad position soon after the start, and did well to finish third. The weather was again favourable for the second day, when there was another big attendance and much betting. Lady Sabretache, the winner of the Maiden Hurdles on the first day, never looked to have a chance in the Stanley Hurdles, which wen* to Beauty, who won nicely from Merry Dan. The latter showed a heap of pace between fences, and when more seasoned will be some good. Unlucky but consistent Kitty Bellairs broke in for a win in the Cautley Handicap, when she beat King Lupin and Toreador comfortably. Kitty Bellairs is one of the fastest in the land out of the slips, but docs not stay well. The Spring Handicap provided a groat finish, heads only separating Jollie Fille, Patronale, Phosphorous, and the decision going in that order. Patronale should have won, but ho left the fence in the run home, allowing Jollie Fillo to got up. A rise of 91b stopped Monojaok, who was never near the lead. Loyal Arch beat the same lot of two-year-olds as opposed her on the first day, but she only won from the Australian-bred Housewife. There were two Hack Races, Signo winning one and Hadj the other. Both are trained by Macmenamin, who also won a race with Delenda. Spalfish proved a class by himself amongst the hurdlers by carrying 11.10 and never being asked to go out of half-pace. He is one of tho most promising hurdlers seen out for a long time. Ho takes each fence alike, and has enough pace to win a good flat handicap. The Welter was won by Monorail, who has not been in winning vein for a long time. He is now owned by secretary H. ITayr, of the Avondale Jockey Club, and tho stable is said to have scored a good win over the chestnut’s success. Nothing to report in connection ■with the Auckland Cup Punters are awaiting tho acceptances, which fall due on Friday.