AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 47

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa. Tho principal item to chronicle since my last letter is the death of the champion steeplechaser and hurdler, El Gallo, which occurred on the Ellerslie track on Friday. The son of Spalpeen was tho property of Mr W. J. Ralph, who will feel tho loss of his favourite. While racing El Gallo did not win a great many races—l think eignt all told—but he succeeded in making a name for himself that will figure prominently in history for all time. To win the Great Northern double —Hurdles and Steeples—is a remarkable performance; but not only did El Gallo do so, but he succeeded in winning the big double two years in succession. The programme for tho spring meeting to be held at Ellerslie has made its appearance, and is quite as attractive as expected. The City Handicap is worth £IOOO, and the other events well endowed with prizemoney.

Several Ellerslie-trained houses will be racing at the Marton meeting, but it cannot bo said they are a good lot, although it is quite possible they may pick up a stake.

me Avondalo Jockey Club is continuing the progressive policy which has characterised it for years, and the programme lor the present season, which is just issued, shows the Avondalc Cup to be worth £7OO, whilo the smallest amount donated to ary event is £l5O.

Uncle Ned and Lady Energy are reDorted to be getting through solid work at Avondale, where it is said there is also a particularly promising maiden in work. Gold "Fran was getting through a lot of useful schooling before being taken to Marton. The son of Ban Fran is only a beg;nner at the hurdle game, but he is distinctly promising, and should be useful later on.

bo iar the two-year-olds, and there are a good number, working at Ellerslie have not been seriously tried, but now that it is settled ■ that there will be two races at Avondale and one at Ellerslie for two-year-olds this spring, no doubt trainers will begin to try their juveniles out. Monotone is a hack in work showing improved pace at Ellerslie, but there are so many fast maidens knocking about that it will be no easy matter to win a race early in the season. Golden Glow is expected to run well in the Marton Steeplechase, but the chestnut is not getting any younger, and will want to be bettor than his track work would suggest if he is to win. Bluestone is on the easy list, and it is hot likelv he will be required in the early part of the season. Hopfield is being kept up to the collar, and will be ready to race at any time. So far he owes his admirers quite a lot of money, but I shall bo surprised if he does trinke amends this season for previous defeats. , J. O'Shea, who is at present laid afide with a broken arm, is awaj spending a holiday at Rotorua. Considerable interest is being taken in tho pending appointment of handicapper to the Auckland Racing Club. The disqualification of Euperino and his owner and rider a week ago at the Williamstowh meeting was quite a surprise to those who knew Mr T. Charters. Australian papers with full particulars of the incident which led to the disqualification W'll be awaited with interest.

Devastation, who is again in work, is rot being unduly hurried. The three-year-olds Bingham and Demotic have done well, and they arc confidently expected to do good service for their owners this season.