AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 41

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By"TuHOA. As was confidently expected, the Easter meeting at Ellerslie was a great success from every point of view, and while the totalisator turnover showed an increase compared with the Easter gathering of 12 months ago, the racing was also very enjoyable. The much-discussed Easter Handicap was won by the Wellington-owned Mcnelaus in very decisive stylo from Bjorneborg and Taet, the trio all being at outside prices on the machine. Form Up and King Lupin made the running till they turned into tho straight, where they began to stop, and at the distance Menelaus, who had been holding a good position all through, shot out and won comfortably. Bunting, Toa Tero, Hopfield, and Tho Toff were never really in the picture, and the same can bo said of Colonel Soult and Rebel, all of whom carried a good deal of money. The unlucky horses were Bedford and Seaclown, both of whom were badly placed In the early part, but were putting in good work over the final stages, and were closo up to the placed horses at the finish. Menelaus had previously been successful on the Ellerslie course, and at_ Christmas won a double at tho Cup meeting.

The Brighton Hurdles, the first "leg" of the double, was won by Mr G. L. Stead's gelding Plymouth, who was very lucky to win, as Fisher was out by himself when ho hit the second fence from home and lost his rider. But for this it is hard to say bow much Fisher'would have won by. Those who thought the Champagne Stakes would only be an exerciso canter for tho Hon. J. D. Ormond's gelding Hymestra receiver! a fright when tho chestnut looked like being beaten, and he only lasted long enough to beat Simonides half a head. Hvmestra did not go out so fast as usual, and Linfrerie was leading him a merry donee till tho straight was reached. At the distance Hymestra headed Lingerie, but Simonides was on his hecis. and they settled down to a real struggle, Hymestra just getting the honours by the barest of margins, with Simonides going tho better of the pair at the end. Tho next meeting of tho pair will create a lot of interest, and if they meet at six furlongs again I will not be surprised to soo Simonides. turn the tables. R. Hannon, tho successful "Waikato trainer, had a great innings the first day, winning threo i-aces. Glenopal, Tinopai, and Mill o'Gowrie all scoring for him. Glenopal, despite- the fact that he was

carrying 171 b overweight, won the President's Handicap very easily, and amongst those ho beat were- Llanishen, Kami King, and Tobasco.

Tho Oaks did not produce an exciting contest, Rekcnui went out with a big lead, but tired a couple of furlongs from home, where the field wero well bunched. Devotion was in front at the distance, but then Tressida cams along very fast, and won easily. Mascot was third after meeting with some interference in the straight. On the second day tho St. Lcger only attracted Tho Toff, Bjorneborg, and Rekonui, with tho first-named at odds-on. Kekcn-ui went out at a great pace, and at ono part must have had a break of a dozen lengths on The Toff, who was just clear of Bjorneborg. Lorn? before the homo turn was reached it could be seen that Rekenui was done, and as Tho Toff cam© along Bjorneborg went after him. They both settled down to it in the run home, but The Toff was always having a bit tho best of it, and won very nicely, though ridden out.

The St. George's Handicap saw Bunting made a good favourite, and he was unlucky in that he did not begin well, and for a long time was at tho tail of the field. Ho moved up a bit before the straight was reached, but could not make up all the leeway, and had to put up with third place behind Toa Tere and Bedford, who wero always the leading pair from tho three-fur-long post, and had a good set-to home. Toa Tcro outstayed - Bedford, and won by half a length. Both the winner and runnerup paid good prices on the machine, which was surprising in view of them both being good performers. The much-discussed Hopfield was started in the Welter the second day. I might mention that prior to the Easter Handicap ho bolted a mile before being pulled Mp. In the Welter ho ran a peculiar race. Ho was soon out in front, but. nearing tho straight, ho suddenly dropped back, and seemed out of the contest so far as he was likely to take a hand in tho finish. Just when Kauri King and Glenspire were fighting out tho issue near the finish Hopfield suddenly loomed up again, and, finishing at a great paco, just failed to reach tho winner, Glenspire. Tho performance was sufficient, to show_ that Hopfield is' not a' bad horse, and will win races.

The Steeplechase was won very easily by Bonnie Jean, who was followed homo by Plymouth. The latter was making his first appearance as a 'chaser, and shaped decidedly well, albeit he cannot stay; but timo may do a lot for him. Troublesome was third; but ho settled whatever chance ho had by jumping wretchedly, and for a horse who has_ won over country in Australia his exhibition of fencing wao very poor.

Simonidcs shewed what a. useful two-year-old he is by carrying 9.9 on the second day and winning the Victoria Handicap in good style in 1.1.

Form Up and Koesian, both "decidedly smart sprinters, met in the Huia Handicap on Easter Monday, and they carried the bulk of the money on the machine. They ran well, but Mill o' Gowrie beat them for paco all through, though they were getting to her at the finish. . The Avondale autumn meeting opened on. Wednesday in dull, showery weather, and the rain which fell made the track so slippery that in several instancoß horses fell. In the 'Titirangi "Welter Pendoon, when racing in front, fell, and his rider (A. J." M'Flynn) had his knee-cap badly smashed. Carniont, who rode Glenspire third in tho bit? race, had his foot badly crushed through coming into contact with, the rail. Wiri, the favourite in the Maiden Plate, was nearly down when in the lead, and settled his chance, and Woody Glen, the favourite in the two-year-old race, fell when holding a good position. Another to fall when looking all over a winner was Hiero in his second start on the day. These were all falls in flat races, and in the Steeplechase only three finished ; whilst there were also falls in the Hack Hurdles.

The Avondalo Handicap was not a race at all; it was simply an exorcise canter for Colonel Soult, who went to the front after going three furlongs, and made the opposition look very cheap. He was ridden bv Ashley Reed, who had a very comfortably rido. The performance was a surprise after his running on the previous Saturday and Monday at Ellersh'e, when in both the Easter and St. George's Handicap he ran like a commoner, and was almost last on each occasion. He is a horse of moods, and will run well or not just as he pleases. The surprise of the race was the good showing of St. Francis,,who carried 121 b overweight, and got second, beating nienspire. Lady Penurv. Jack Delaval. Rebel. Munster, and El Gallo fairly and squarely.' .Tack Delaval has. evidently seen his day. He ran a good race in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie, but in the Avondale Handicap, after bein.sr in the lead with Colonel Soult for throe furlongs, ho began to drop back, arrl eventual!-? finished about 60 yards behind the field.