AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3325, 5 December 1917, Page 48

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa. Sportsmen at *this end of the two islands had their appetite whetted on Saturday last when the Takapuna Club brought off its annual spring fixture, which on this occasion, owing to the curtailment in racing, was reduced to one day. It also marked the opening of die club's now course, and perhaps to this was due the record attendance. Never has such a huge crowd attended a meeting at the marine suburb, and as the various events were won by well-fancied candidates no doubt the public would enjoy the outing. It was the unanimous opinion that iho new track, when finally top-dressed, will rank with the best in the Dominion. Tho principal event was tho St. Andrew's Handicap, and the winner turned up in tho useful gelding Uncle Ned, who had tho services of H. Cray. It proved a very comfortable rido for Gray, as three furlongs from home, when he asked tho gelding to go up to Colonel Soult, who was then in the lead, he did so with very little effort, and the issue was never in doubt once the straight was reached. For his victory Uncle Ned will now bo required to carry 7.2 in the Auckland Cup; but maybe his owner will be content to pick up small but good money instead of taking the risk of asking tho four-year-old to undergo a severe preparation for a two-mile journey. The running of Colonel Soult was in marked contrast to his performance in -„ho City Handicap, at Bllcrslie, a fortnight previously when ho tailed the field homo. However, this did not stop him from being solidly supported at Takapuna, where, as previously remarked, ho showed quite a reversal of form, and beat all but Uncle Ned.. S'r Ralph ran third, and was going on nicely when the post was reached; but the big disappointments were Rebel and . Cynic. Tho first-named is ono of the most-dis-cussed horscs_ in Auckland, but while some people proclaim him as a sure winnei of the Auckland Cup, there are others who Would not back him with counterfeit money—and the -latter certainly can point to Rebel's latest showings in support of their opinion. There will bo no. more meetings in this part before the Cup meeting, but even at this juncture I" feel satisfied that the big money will go south, not only in the Cup, .but in most races. That thero never was a poorer lot of horses in Auckland than at the present is evidenced by the performances of Chortle, who gavo most of our locals stones and a beating. Thero were two open sprint races at Takapuna—one going to King Lupin,

ridden by Gray; while Lightning, who was runner-up to King Lupin, came out later and won the six-furlong evetft. There was nothing amongst the starters with a chance of winning th© Railway. The Maiden Hurdles served to produce a prom.s;ng maiden in Silver Lupin, who, though his jumping left room for improvement, showed a Jot of pace between the fencco, and won very nicely at the finish from another promising sort in Ditto. The open hurdle race was something of a one-horse affair, Con going to the front at tho barrier rise and never giving the others a chance, though Glendalough was his nearest attendant throughout. Tho latter will win a race shortly. Shining Light looked the best of good things in tho two-year-old event, and ho duly won, but had to be ridden right out to boat Kilbeggan and Aircraft a heck, tho pair mentioned running a dead heat for second. It might ba mentioned that the placed horses are all trained by F. Stenning. There were two hack events; tho Maiden Plate going to Stilts, who was thrown into tho handicap at 7.13, and he won all the way. The Melrose Handicap was won by Lord Konihvorth, who has a lot of pace, and,. getting well out in front, ho won in good style from tho consistent Lough Ennell.

There wore several falls during tho day, and E. R. Itoid, rider of Dunrobin in the Hurdles, was presented with a broken collarbone.

B. Deeley, who returned a few days before the meeting, only had one ride. This was on Torotoro in the Cheltenham Handicap, in which race he was never in tho firing line. It is undorstood that H. Gray will have tho mount on Toa Tore in the Auckland Cup. Tho son of Maniapoto is a high-class handicap horse, and is one of tho favourites for_ the race, although 8.8 is plenty of weight to carry two miles with the pace right on. Ever since the New Zealand Cup meeting Johnny Walker has occupied his position of favourite for the Auckland Cup, and the fact that Doeley will be in the saddle will help tho favourite to keep his position.

There is an acceptance for the Cup and Railway this 'evening, and perhaps some idea as to the intentions of owners will then be gathered. Since the Takapuna meeting matters have been very quiet at Ellerslie, and they are not likely to brighten up till a fortnight before the big meeting, when, I undcrstand,_ the course proper will bo placed at the disposal of trainers. After Uncle > Ned had won the St. Andrew's Handicap his rider (Gray) proceeded to weigh in, but as he got to the scales he dropped the breastplate. Ho was •passed "All right" by the clerk, when someone drew Gray's attention to the breastplate, and, picking it up, Gray again got on the scales, and. for the second time was passed " All, right." Mr J. C. Gleeson, part-owner of the second horse (Colonel Soult). noticing the incident, immediately entered an objection, and the stewards, after taking evidence, dismissed the protest. It is understood that Mr Gleeson was noli satisfied, and qrave it as his intention of taking tho incident to an appeal.