AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 42

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Taihoa. „ Were it_ not _ that the circuit of country race meetings is' now in full swing, racing men in this part of the Dominion would have nothing at their " back doors" to interest them, as the saying is. But nowadays owners recognise that quite a lot of money can be won at„the country fixtures, and the upshot is that the meetings receive more attention, there is a better class of animal racing, and incidentally the events are harder to win.The Taumarunui fixture was brought off on Saturday, and passed off successfully both as regards the racing and financially to the club. As anticipated, the various events were not difficult problems for backers, and six favourites scored during the afternoon. The dividends were exceptionally small throughout, the largest being rust over £4, and this to backers of one horse who finished second. . It will be gathered that backers had to make only one or two losing bets and they could hardly get square. Owing to the dividend on Pink Tie in the Farewell Handicap beim? made up on the wron« horse, Pink Tie's backers received amongst them £234 more than they were entitled to. Glenopal, fresh from her victory in the Takapuna Cup, met a poor lot at Taumarunui, and won the Cup in good style, though Gold Fran had her doing her best over the final furlong. Gold Fran later came out and won the Welter. Step, as I remarked would bo the case, lost his maiden certificate, and succeeded in winning two small races; but there was not a great deal of merit in the performances, as those opposed to the chestnut were very rough. iStill, the fact of Step winning would be distinctly pleasing,-to his owner. E. Pope had a successful time, his horses —Gold Fran and Step—winning three races, while Gold Fran also ran second in the Cup. 0. Coleman is having a successful time with Pink Tie at the country meetings, and the filly has scored four times for him: Her latest successes were a double at Taumarunui. Mr E. Short sent his pair—Tonukoe and Hupana—to Taumamnui. The former succeeded in winning the Maiden Handicap, but Hupana, when made a strong oddson favourite, was beaten into second place. Tho Te Kuiti meeting 19 the attraction this week-end, and at tho time of writing everything points to tho gathering being a success. A pair likely to do well are New Zealand and Rathlin. On Saturday of next week the best of the country fixtures will be held, when the Hamilton Club will hold its annual meeting. Previously a two-day affair, this time it will be confined to one day, but in order to 'offer owners some inducement to send their horses up, no race on the programme carries less than 200.-iovs in prize money, while the Cup carries 500sovs. There are any amount of clubs which could do with a loaf from the progressive book of the Hamilton Club. W. Mobberley is unfortunate in that just when he had tho Monoform filly Malaya at the top of her form, she was unlucky enough to met with a slight mishap, which caused her to be withdrawn from her immediate engagements. However, Mobberley expects to have her right again in a few days, and she should not be long in securing a short-distance event. ;She can go very fast for five furlongs; but that is quite far enough. J. Williamson will have a good team ut tho Hamilton mooting next wook, amongst tho number bein<r Ring Lupin,

Royal Irish, Sylvasco, Larry, and Garryowen. The latter was galloped on at Christmas, but he is all right again, and is worth keeping in mind. The iockey "Joe" Conquest, who was rather badly injured -when Lough Ennell fell with him at the Takapuna meeting, is still located at the h6sptial, but he is doing well, and should soon be about again. Several riders wore apparently inclined to tako risks at the Taumarunui meeting lastweek, and during-the afternoon the chief stipendiary steward (Mr J. M'Mahon) was very busy giving sound advice to the offenders. F. Loomb, who has been located at Ellerslie since after the winter meeting, returned to Gisborno last week, taking Cynio, Slipstitch, and the two-year-old Principal Lady with him. / Quito a lot. of people are selecting the imported Polydamon as a horse likely to win tho Wanganui Cup, but if, as is contended, tho Takapuna track did not suit him —well, he will bo just as badly off at Wanganui. J. Thorpe has a pair of veterans in Haskayne and Bluestone •in work. It is strange that Thorpe should now have Haskayne, as more than once the son of Birkenhead cut Thorpe out of a good win by beating Bluestone. As a result of tho inquiry into the incident at Takapuna, when P'atetonga, Lough Ennell, and Meltino fell, the apprentice, Rennie, attached to R. Hannon's stables, will enjoy a six months' spell from the saddle. The inquiry into the performances of Poi at tho recent Takapuna meeting has not ended yet, and further evidence will be taken on the 16th of this month. Tinopai is nicely treated in the Hamilton Ci.p, to be decided on Saturday of next week, and with 7.8 on her back she should keep the opposition busy. However, she way win the Te Kuiti Cup in the meantime, and, of course, the impost would then be increased. Any readers who keep a list of horses likely to pay their way in the near future should add Rathlin's name to those already down. v