AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 42

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

* By T&ihoa.

Though the annual meeting of the Hamilton Racing Club last Saturday proved a big success, it is certain that the returns would have been still larger but that lor two days previously heavy rain tell- This, nautraiiy, caused many who intended making the trip from Auckland to remain at home; but there was still a good crowd, and tiiey had the pleasure of participating in a most enjoyable outing. As I remarked at the appearance of the handioaps, the Waikato-trained mare Tinopai proved victorious in tne Cup, despite the lact that, originally weighted at 7.8, she had by reason 01 winning the l'e Kuiti Cup the previous week to carry an additional 141 b. With her Hamilton impost increased to 8.8, most people were of the opinion that the task was a. little beyond her, but ehe soon settled the point by winning in good style. R. Hannon, who owns and trains Tinopai, has "had a remarkable run of successes in Cup races since Christmas. He won the Hummer Cup at Ellerslie with King Lupin, the Takapuna Cup and Taumarunui Cup with Glenopal, and the Te Kuiti Cup and Hamilton Cup with Tinopai. The only one he has miseed in Auckland since Christmas is the Whangarei Cup, in which he was not represented. His next meeting in a Cup will probably be with Rebel. The consistent but somewhat unlucky Blue Cross managed to win the Trial Handicap at Hamilton rather well from a good field. The favourite was Demotic, who had every chance, but was not quite good enough. ' . - . Carmen Sylva in running second in the Trial gave promise of picking up a stake in the near future; but ehe is not a real good one, and is only worth noting when in moderate company. Stilts won the Stewards' Handicap all the way, but had O'Shea put a little more vigour into his finish on Cadrona the orobalfilities are that Stilts would have been second. Later'in the day Cadrona won the .Farewell Handicap, of five furlongs, in good style, and there is no doubt that he is a decidedly useful sprinter, and one who, besides possessing a lot of pace, can carry weight well. Royal Irish, though beaten out of a place in the Cup, was doing better at the iinish than anything in the race, except the winner, Tinopai, and had not the pace been so solid in the first few furlongs, the old gelding might have been in the money. E. Pope is having hard luck with Sir Ralph who cannot win a race, but generally runs into a place. Sir Ralph has already this season been runner-up in the Avondale, Te Kuiti, and Hamilton Cups, besides filling a place in other events. Gold .Fran looked an absolute certainty for the Waiinai Hurdles at Hamilton, barring accidents, but for some reason he was not nearly favourite, and paid a good price. His jumping left a lot of room for improvement, but he had too much pace for the poor lot opposed to him. With a little seasoning the son of San Fran should turn out useful over the small fences. J. Williamson again annexed a fair share of the prize money, when both Garryowen and Stilts won for the stable. Garryowen is a much better horse than most people believe, and he is capable of winning an open race. Another useful hack, seen out was Kip, who defeated a solid favourite in Canzonet in the Tamahero Stakes. Gold Kip won well and as ho was also succeesal at Takapuna ho is decidedly useful. After running disappointingly for a couple of seasons Loyal Arch showed a return to form by winning the Welter in very easy fashion, and defeating a strong favourite in British Arch. The latter began very slowly, and had a lot of ground to make up over tha final couple of furlongs, and under the circumstances he did well to run second. Jack Delaval was whispered about as likely to win the Welter, and with Deeley on nim he commanded considerable support. He was out in the lead for six furlongs, but in the straight the old fellow was well beaten, and it is evident he is a light of other days. The Rotorua meeting is fixed for next week and at first glance Tinopai and Sir Ralph lock the best of those engaged in the Cup. Fionuala was taken to Hamilton, but was not given a run. She went on to the Wanganui meeting, where she claims engagements. Since she won a double at Takapuna she is being proclaimed a champion but the fact that Royal Irish, who ran second to her, has since been defeated at Te Kuiti and Hamilton, would suggest that there might not have been a great deal of merit in her performances. Two horses to i?eep in mind for the Te Aroha meeting are Persian Prince and Heiro. Following the death of Mr J. F. Hartland. Mr Spenee. for many years employed in the Auckland Racing Club's office, has been appointed acting secretary. DESERT COLD. MELBOURNE, February 22. e On the Flemington course- proper this morning Desert Gold spurted) half a mile. Getting going half a furlong from the starting point

tho New Zealander made the pace in splendid style, and, finishing very strongly, she passed the judge's box in 472 sec, esaily beating all track records for the journey.