AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 55

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa. Tho appearance of Mr Morse's handicap! for the principal events to be run off at the Great Northern meeting has provided sportsmen at this end, if not throughout the Dominion, with a couple of stilt propositions on winch to centre their thoughts. Of course there are always those wiio will, when tiie weignts arc just published, tell you with remarkable confidence that such and such a horse could not possibly get beaten unless he fell or took the wrong turning, like the bad girl of the lamily in the drama. And to suggest that the socailed certainty may possioiy be beaten is like trying to get reliable war news-—you simply cannot do it. But despite the superior knowledge- of these racing experts they are still to be found battling along and working eight hours each day. And so it will always be. As the acceptances, or rather the first acceptance, for the Great Northern Hurdles, Steeplechase, and* Cornwall Handicap fall duo to-night I do not intend to comment on the events until next week, except to say that El Gallo appears quite likely to repeat his winning double performance of last year. To place Spalperion within 51b of El Gallo is a curious piece of handicapping, and no one but Air Morse would think ot putting Spalperion .within a stone or a stone and a-half of El Gallo. They are two different classes of horse, and whereas El Gallo is a horse who might win even an Auckland Cup, it would be clilficult to place .Spalperion where he could win at all. On nothing he has" done can Spalperion be said to bo given a chance in the Northerns. Spaliish was withdrawn from the Great Northern Hurdles immediately the weights appeared. El Gallo was schooled over the steeplechase fences in the centre at Ellerslie, tho Spalpeen gelding jumping carefully and well. He is entered lor the Wanganui meeting, but being so well placed in the Northerns it is hardly likely he would be sent down to fulfil his engagements. Centenary, who won the Maiden Hurdles at Avondale a fortnight ago ; is lucky to be in at the minimum in the Great Northern Hurdles. In the race he won —I will pass over the one he lost on the second day—he was always a winner, and he showed both pace and cleverness in jumping. Since the meeting he has been receiving his preparation at Takapuna, where the Grand National Steeplechase winner, Ngatoa, is also being prepared. Both are said to bo doing well, and can be expected to bo thoroughly tuned up for the June meeting. When the weights for the Cornwall Handicap were published Haskayne's weight was given as 9.5. but this, of course, was a palpable mistake, and a correction was sent along later making his impost 10.5. Even now he is well treated. Waimai, Lady Sabretache, ■r,rl Captain Jack are three 'chasers in J. Rae's stablo in work. Lady Sab-ertaoho lias been having' an easy time since March, but she is in steady work now. The suspension of B. Decloy by the A.R.C. Judicial Committee as the result of an inquiry into the accident in tho Auckland Welter at Easter, when Thoolomi broke a shoulder and was killed, is not yet definitely settled, as the committee has decided to give Deelcy a rehearing, and the ease will bo heard again next week. Work on the tracks during tho pass week has been almost nil, owing to rain. Tt seems as though we shall have to wait till after the Wanganui mectin? before matters in connection with the Gr<\at Northern meeting have to be seriously considered.