AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 41

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa. Easily the most successful race meeting under the auspices of the Takapuna Jockey Club was that hold on Saturday and Monday last at the new course. The track was in good order, end when properly fixed up should be one of the best in the land. However, the accommodation for the public is totally inadequate, and for a long time to come any profits the club make could well be expended on stands, totalisators, etc. Tho best performer at the meeting was the Spalpeen mare Fionnuala, trained b* W. Sharpe. She beat a good fielo o*l sprinters in tho Stewards' Handicap, #ix furlongs, on the opering day, and on Monday she made an exhibition of a field of good performers in the Jockey Club Handicap, which extends to a little over a mile and a-quarter. On both occasions she was ridden by Roy Reed. .Fionnuala. is very well just now, but she is certain to receive plenty of weight in future events, and she will want to be quite as good as she is to win again. The Cup itself was an uninteresting race, for Glenopal, owned and trained by R. Harmon, jumped to the front at barrierrise and never gave anything a chance. Mullingar was second, but had Uncle Ned put in his claim a trifle sooner he would liavi; been second. Tho importations—Polydamon and Cynio —were tho best supported in the Cup, but in tho race they made a very poor showing, and were at tho tail of the field throughout. Cynic did not start the second day; but. Polydamon did, and shaped no better. It is contended that tho circular track would not suit either horse, and this may be so, but it does not seem that either of the pair is as good as was thought. A useful two-year-old was seen out in Silver Link, a daughter of Achilles, who won both juvenile events very easily. Perhaps Silver Link is not a really good one, and the Auckland lot are particularly bad. The hitler appears most feasible-. " A veteran in Royal Irish showed a glimpse of his old dash at the meeting. In the Cup he got anything but a good run. and finished fourth; but in the Jockey Club Handicap the second day, after being a long way back at one stage, ho finished on in groat style, and beat all but Fionnuala. It is not surprising that Royal Irish has been too good for tho oppositon he has so far encountered at the country meetings. Ring Lupin was the only winning ride H. Gray had at the meeting, and the chestnut ran out the five furlongs so well as to suggest that he will stay on better this season.

Iho meeting was not negotiated without accident. On tho first day the hurdles rakanini broke a leg and was destroyed, and on the second day tho promising young horse Lough Ennel also broke a leg, and a bullet ended his career. There were several other falls during tho two days, and tho horseman J. Conquest was ratheu severely knocked about. Ho and J. Pres< ton were each presented with broken collarbones: The Alison-owned horses, comprising Spanner, Tiami, Hinemaru, Rockfield, and Lord Kenilworth, were ex< peotod to gather in some stake money, but they failed in their mission, and placed' money by Spanner and Lord .Kenilworth was tho only earnings. Tho hurdlers seqn out at tho me-t>tinff were a very moderate lot. Ditto won both Hack Hurdle 9, and on tho second day J. Roach had a very rocky rido, as owing to some of the gear breaking ho was hanging era to his saddle over the latter part of the journey. Ditto is improving all the time, and ehould be capable of winning in open company in Auckland, as they are a poop, lot 'taken all through. On tho first day Te Onga. was lucky, to win the Open Hurdles from Tenacious, and tho latter easily turned tho tables on tho second day, paying a fair price. Cadrona ran consistently both days, and was perhaps a trifle unlucky in getting beaten on Saturday in tho Stewards' Handicap. Ho made amends on Monday by, winning the Welter from a good field. Munster won a race tho first day, and ho is very well. Ho ehould be remembered for events at the country meetings. Lightning did not win a race, but she will not bo long getting her oat money. The hack races call for little comment. Woody Glen was unlucky tho second day, and may have won but tor losing a lot ol ground when three horses fell in front ofi him just after a furlong had been covered. Woody Glen will bo a winner very shortly. Tiro running of Poi formed the subject of an inquiry on the first day. Poi was at any old price, and ran accordingly, but on tho second day, when made a solid favourite, made a o'ne-horso affahr of it, arid never gave anything a chance. At the tima of writing the inquiry is not finished, and therefore any comment at this moment, maj: not be fair. The Taumarunui annual meeting ia being held this week-end, and I shall be surprised if Step is not in the money. Huparta and Malaya should also bo heard of.