AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 54

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

CFhom Odb Own Correspondent.! June 7. The proverbial luck which has followed the Auckland Racing Club in the matter of weather still sticks to it, and three finer days than those experienced for the Great Northern meeting, which dosed to-day, could not bo desired. For weeks past I have been stating that El Gallo’s performance in the Maiden Hurdles must not be forgotten when considering the big northern double, and this was borne out when the son of Spalpeen brought off his great feat last week. In the Great Northern Hurdles ho won in good style after being a long way out of it n L , the end of the first mile. Morccambe was well out in front five furlongs from homo; but it was then that El Gallo came upon the scene, and before the straight was reached Mr Ormond’s horse was beaten and- El Gallo won easily from Tragedy King, who put up a good performance oyer the last few furlongs. Morccambe struggled into third place just in front of Come, who was nearer at the finish than at any 'other part of the race. Admiral Soult, Hereford, Black Northern, and Sty rax were never m it on the trip. But it was in tho steeplechase that El Gallo proved what a great stayer he is. after being ridden with poor judgment. Morccambe, it might be said, at once went to the - front, while Scott toiled along at the rear with El Gallo. With half the journey gone, the spectators wore waiting to sec El Gallo move up a bit; but no, he continued to canter along, while Morccambe was gradually getting further away. At the old water jump, about a mile and a-quarter from the finish, Morccambe hit. hard and was almost down, but Adams kept him on his feet, and, approaching the hill the last time, ho sailed further away. All tins time El Gallo was fully 150 yards away, but along the back he began to move up. He did not gain very much ground, but lin'd run up second when tho two fences on top of tho hill wore taken, at which time Moreonmbo was almost at the bottom of the hill. At this juncture it looked a certamtv that Morccambe would win. not by a small margin, but bv lengths. Coming down tho hill El Gallo fairly flew, but it looked an impossibility for him to get anywhere near tho leader.' let alone win, and Morecambo came to tho last hurdle, only a. furlong from home, about 15 lengths in front. It was then that El Gallo was ridden hard, and excitement rose as he rapidly over-ba-tflod Morecambo. and, when the Aucklander got up to his southern rival about

throe strides from the post and won by half a length portion of the crowd almost lost their heads. On pulling up Morccambe was found to have broken down, and Adams, his rider, said the horse went at the old water jump, where he was almost down. If this is so, then El Gallo was lucky to win; but, on the other hand, he was badly ridden in being kept too far back. The finish will live long in the memory of those present to see it. Colonel Soult won the Cornwall Handicap from end to end, never letting the field anywhere near him. the Hon. J. D. Ormond brought three horses up, winning the Prince of Wales s Stakes with Hyettus, the York Welter with Haskayne, and running third and second in the big hurdles and steeplechase with Moreoambo. Hyettus returned the biggest dividend of the meeting. When Haskayne won lie downed Blucetone, whose efforts during the two hist days were widely discussed. After just being beaten in the bier race, Bmestone came out and won the F are well Handicap from a field of high-class sprinters. The feature of the racing was the consistent form shown.. Harbour Light started four times, falling once and wmnmg three times. Loloma won three times, El Gallo twice, while several other horses ran consistently all through. After winning the Maiden -Steeplechase, Ngatoa was purchased by E. Abson. Emperador and B-mcter, Mr G. UGreenwood’s pair, were never dangerous in th'-’ r starts the meeting. , Tragedy King, after running second in the Great Northern snd also the Rcmuera Hurdles, broke down badly m the Campbell Hurdles on Monday.