AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 48

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Digger,

The weights for the first day's racing of the Takapuna Jockey Club's summer meeting appeared on January 17, and the handicapper has given those who try to pick winners plenty to occupy their attention.

Teka, with 9.1 in the Cup, should run well, but his stable mate, Athens 11, is nicely placed with 7.2. Cynic, who beat all but Red Ribbon in the A.R.C. Handicap with 7.9, will have plenty of friends, but ho ran very badly in the samo race last year. The course may not suit him. Blue Cross, Killard, and All Talk are the pick of the light-weighted division. 11. Hannon, who has been very successful in Takapuna Cups, has Tinopai and Glenopnl engaged this year. Tinopai has not raced yet this season, but Glenopal has started on several occasions, and failed to run prominently. Form Up is now located at Devonport. The sen air may sharpen him up. The way All Talk finished in his races at Christinas left no doubt that he would stay, and he ran well in races extending over a mile. With Reknnui and King Abbey engaged in tho Stewards' Handicap at Takapuna Hannon holds a strong hand. Cnnowiudra, who showed the best form among tho two-year-olds trained at Ellerslie, should run well in tho Calliopo Handicap- , , , Master Regal, who likes left-handed courses, has been standing up to his work, and if started in tho hurdle races will give a good account of himself. One of the most promising maiden hurdlers at Ellerslie is Ma Cooper. Though he was a disappointment on tho flat, he may make amends at hurdle-racing. Killard. who finished just behind the placed horses in the Mitchelson Cup, should be handy at Takapuna. Colonel Soult, who figures in hurdle events at Takapuna, has boon schooling well. The half-sister to Arch Marella, in Stenning's stable, is showing improvement in her work.

J. Williamson, who is usually very successful at the country fixtures around Auckland, made a good start this season by winning three races at Whangarei. Bellacity is moving attractively in her work, and should land a stake shortly. Lady Energy, who had been galloping very well on thse track, was well supported for the Whangarei Cup, but failed to run into a place. Windorah showed good form at Whangarei by winning the Cup and Railway. Now he has got on the winning list he should be seen to advantage in good company, as there is no doubt about his galloping ability. Julian has a very promising maiden in Flowing Bowl, and he should not be long in showing a return. Quadroon is on a good mark at the Wellington Trotting Club's "meeting, and ifstarted will not lack friends from this quarter. The action of the / judicial stewards of the Auokland Racing Club in merely expressing their disapproval to the two owners, of competitors in the Railway Handicap for having "intimate conservations" prior to the race with a rider riding a horse not owned by either of them, will not meet with the approval of the sporting public. If stewards will not recognise their responsibility to the public,- then iit is time some other authority stepped in and exercised control over matters that,are detrimental tt> clean sport.