AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3214, 20 October 1915, Page 56

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa,

j The rapidly drawing-near spring fixture of the Auckland Racing Club is being eagerly looked forward to by racegoers, while the busy appearance of the racing tracks in the ! early mornings is in itself a sign that there will be something doing very shortly. Ellers!ie trainers are very well catered for ' as regards training tracks, and when the I course proper is open trainers have the | choice of three good grass gallops, a sand I and also a tan track, while there is a track for the exclusive use of two-year-olds. A ' plentiful supply of water whenever ncccs- ' sary is also one of the privileges Ellerslie trainers enjoy. | With perhaps the exception of Monojack, who is suffering with a split hoof, all the best of the local horses are in steady work, and perhaps there is nothing very serious

the matter with Monojack—just enough to cause him to miss his engagements next month. E. Stcnnin.g has a useful handicap brace in Mullingar and Jack Delaval, and both are being given plenty of solid work. One morning they were sent in company over seven lurlongs; but Mullingar’s effort was not pleasing, and all through the trip Jack Delaval was easily the better. However, it must not be forgotten that Jack Delaval has been tuned up for a long time, while Mullingar has not done a great deal of fast galloping until the last week or so, and will improve considerably. Nicomar and Lion D’Or have loft G. Malcolm’s stable, and will in future bo trained by L. Morris. The latter has ridden Nicomar in several of his engagements. The connections of Colonel Boult did not hesitate after the Aucklander’s poor showing in tho Metropolitan, and at once took out the son ?f Sioult’s return ticket. The "after tale’’ is a pcor excuse at any time; but the gallops registered by the Colonel before being sent to Sydney were brilliant enough to at least expect him to show up well. However, he did not make even a semblance of a fight, and no doubt tho same party would require a Carbine before they take Randwick company on again. Colonel Soult arrived back in Auckland on Thursday, and with him came the three-year-old filly Housewife, whose trip was also an expensive one. Those who journey to the Waikato on Labour Day (October 25) will have the pleasure—for which they will eventually pay —of hearing the “ tote ” hells ringing merrily for the first time at a Cambridge Hunt Club meeting. Indications point to the club having a record meeting, and many Ellerslie trainers intend being represented. Some are taking advantage of the opportunity to give their horses a gallop before the big spring meeting at Ellerslie; but this remark refers to only a few, as most of those making tho trip want tho money, judging by the way their horses are being' tiined up. At hunt club meetings the runners come from all districts; therefore backers have none tho best of matters; but of tho horses trained at Ellerslie Ambassador, Takanini, and Blueform are worth considering in their engagements. A hack showing a lot of improvement since the Avondale meeting is Kidderminster, and I am quite prepared to see him win a race very shortly and pay a big dividend. Try Flake is being kept busy _ at the schooling hurdles. The son of Motiti jumps saloly, but is inclined to shirk the obstacles, and therefore does not jump fast enough. On Tuesday morning Toreador made Monathol look very cheap when tho pair set out over five fences. Toreador had too much pace, and jumped boldly all through. The Auckland Racing Club and Avondale Jockey Club were fined £250 and £l5O respectively at a “ mock ” court arranged b* r prominent Auckland ladies on Thursday. The well-known horseman W. Ryan, for some time associated with the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s stable, joined the ranks of benedicts on Wednesday. He and Mrs Ryan will have the best wishes of all for their future happiness. The popular “skipper” will now make Auckland his permanent home. A two-year-old named Archgirl, in W. Irwin’s stable, is coming on very fast, and, though she has not been in training long, there are few at Ellerslie who could beat her over half a mile. Goldfire is worth watching for any shortdistance events. The chestnut looks better now than I have ever seen him, and I shall bo much surprised if he does not get among the money next month. It is expected that Mr T. H. Lowry will send Marco Bello north for the Great Northern Guineas. His win at Hawke’s Bay is in itself sufficient inducement to send the colt against the poor lot of three-year-olds Auckland can produce. Old Maui Nina has been showing a glimpse of his best pace during the last couple of weeks, and the big chestnut may take some beating in the big race at Cambridge next week. Lady Jack and Independence are the two juveniles who find most favour with track visitors. Independence has much that may be admired. Luperin has been jumping the big country in bold style; but he does not carry a large stock of wind, and soon tires.