AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3396, 16 April 1919, Page 48

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Digger. The Auckland Trotting Club's autumn meeting, held on the sth and 9th inst., was a great success, there being a large attendance each day. The tote, figures showed an increase of £23,800 over the last two-day meeting. The southern champion. Cathedral Chimes, made an attempt on the opening day to reduce the mile record oi 2.6 1-5, but he took 2.10. On the second day ha made an attempt on the two-mile record o£. 4.22 4-5. He went out very fast and covered the first mile in 2.9 2-5, but tired badly, and took 2.15 2-5 over the last mile, running the two miles in 4.24 4-5. Waverley put up a good performance in the Campbell Handicap, running the' two miles in 4.35. Willie Lincoln made a strong effort over the last bit, but could not make any imoresison on Waverley, whp won by two lengths. Gold Girl won the, mile easily in 2.15 2-5, and is evidently a good one. „„_ Cunningham was very successful at the meeting, winning a double with Wilding, a race each with Asturio and Trooper Dillon, and a dead heat for first with Hint. Greta, which hails from Bryce's stable, la very fast, but breaks badly. On the second day she was a long time getting into her stride, but once she settled down she soon caught the field and won easily. Inwood was unlucky, filling third position on three occasions. In the two-mile Trot on the opening day King Capitalist ran on the extreme, outside the whole way, and finished secondT' He should be a good proposition on a lefthanded course. Steel Bell has evidently seen her best day. She was produced on the opening day, but could not get near the leaders, and finished a long way back. When Roscray won the Maiden on the second dav he returned an exceptionally good dividend for one of Bryce's horses. No doubt his poor showing on the opening day accounted for it. With the large number of visitors engaged the Auckland Racing Club's autumn meeting promises to be a great success. A lot of interest centres on the prospects of Taunaha and Rebekah in the Easter Handicap, and quite a few expect them to fight out the issue, but they will probably have an illustration of the vast difference between winning a hack race and a leading handicap. King Lupin is very well, but on previous occasions he has failed in the Easter ; If Desert Gold and Killowen start in the Easter the bracket will be the public fancy on the dav, and there should be a fair chance of "Mr Lowry supplying the first two. / Spanner has made a speedy recovery, and on Thursday mornmsr he ran the fastest six furlongs run at Ellerslie this season, but it is questionable if he could run out a fast mile. Crowhurst, who has got on the right side of the ledger for his new owner, is very well, and should pick tip a stake at the meeting.

Emerald Hill is one of the smartest youngsters trained at EUerslie.

Mascot is very well, though the mile and a-half on the second day should be more to her liking- than Easter. Pierrot is hitting out -well in his work, and he is well placed in the hack mil® on the opening day. The Chamrjasrne' Stakes will be a battle between the visitors, as there is nothing good enough among the local two-year-olds to have a chance. After his win in the Hawke's Bay Stakes Affectation will be tho favourite, but if Crenides could reproduce the form he showed at EUerslie last Christmas he would have to be seriously conPenona will have plenty of followers when she steps out in a hack race. She is sprinting very well. Thrace, who is a very warm fancy for the Brighton Hurdles, so far has not succeeded in winning a hurdle race at Ellerslie, Fabricmette has gone on the right way

since winning a double at the Thames. She is a good mare up to a mile. Troublesome will be the hardest horse to beat in the Autumn Steeplechase. Ditto and Waimai are two good jumpers who should bo handy in the Brighton Hurdles. Bedford, who is not a good track worker, is looking very well. There is no doubt about his pace. Hinemaru, who claims an engagement in the Oaks, is showing up well in her work though a true-run milo and a-balf would probably be beyond her.