AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3395, 9 April 1919, Page 41

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Digger

With the Auckland Racing'.Club's autumn meeting drawing near matters are beginning to liven iqj at headquarters. 'iaunaha is now a firm favourite for the Easter, and on his recent perlormauces h* is entitled to respect; but with, tile good iieid tliat is engaged one would iiaruiy expect tlie winner to- come from the iiaeii cias>s.

Tne presence of Desert Gold in the held will add a lot of interest to tiie event, and there is no doubt she will keep the rest of the iieid busy all tho way. With the sting out of the ground Bedford would run a great race, as lie is very well now.

SpannT is slightly amiss, but he is still able to do light work and may take hia place in the held. It is surprising that Killowen is not being sought alter in the Easter, for on the form he displayed in Australia in the spring ho should have an excellent chance.

Thrace is tho first fancy lor the Brighton Hurdles, but he is set u, severe task with 12st in the saddle. In the decision of the rs'ew Year Hurdle Race, two miles, • Ditto beat him very easily, though Thrace is meeting her on 6lb better terms in the Brighton. vJon is considered in some quarters to have a good chance at EUerslie. Waimai is in great fettle. He will ba ridden by F. Tutchen. Kmkora is standing up to his work, and if he keeps sound he would be a payable proposition over hurdles. Garryowen, who should make a first-class hurdler, is being schooled and shows a liking for the gome. Slow Coach, a hack in Pope's charge, haa

a great deal more pace than his name suggests. Pretty Bobby, who got en the winning

list at Hamilton, is on the improve.' j The two-year-old Finkop, by Finland— j Finery, will have the services of H. Kobin- i ■son in the Champagne stakes. He should j run a good race, but will probably find the opposition too strong. With Hetaua, Affectation, and Cronidea . engaged in tiie Champagne Stakes, one ot the Liest contests ever seen in the event should be witnessed.

Mangumahoe should be in good form at Easter. He has run his best races at Eilerslie.

Mullingar has thrown off his soreness, but it will be "tome time before he is right. The Great Northern Oaks was considered between Afterglow and Star Lady, but on her Hawke's Bay running Lovematch must be given a chance. The two-year-old Emerald Hill is galloping well on the track. His best effort to date was third to Rose Wreath and Fulica at Hamilton. Pierrot, who ran third in the Welter each day at Hamilton, may do better at Ellerslier He is very well now. Middle Mark and Bridgie have gone into Coleman's charge. They both, show pace in their work, and should turn out useful. The former is a half-brother to Centre, by King Mark, and the latter is a full siste* to Cyresian.