AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 45

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

BY

DIGGER

The Avondale Jockey Club’s spring meeting, field on September .24 and 26, was a record. The popularity of the gatherings held on the suburban course was well de mopstvated by the large attendance each day. To anyone present it would have been hard to realise that the withdrawal of the club’s permit was recommended by the Racing Commission. Speculation was brisk, and the figures for the two days (£128,474 10s) showed an increase of £1574 iOs on last year’s total.. Nineteen youngsters paraded in tho Avondale Stakes, Epitaph being backed as if it was all over. They wore a bit restless at the post, and when the barrier went up several (including the favourite) were slow to move. Lady Lois and Master O’Horne were first out', but, with two furlongs | covered, Lady Lois was well clear, with the j favourite, who had made up her lost ground fast, in second place, just in front of Master O Roche. Coming into" the straight Lady Lois had a three lengths’ advantage of the favourite and, stalling off the latter’s good finishing effort, won by half a length, with Master O’Rorke a length away third. The winner is trained by Mr A. Julian, the victory being well received. Epitaph ran a good race, and with ordinary luck at the barrier would probably have won. Nocturne was expected to run well, but had her chance extinguished at the start A good field of 17 came out: in the Clip, Admiral Oodrington receiving most support with Starland and Molyneaux next in request. With the exception of Spanner, who refused to leave the mark, the start was a, good one. Sasanof was first to show out. but Kbublai Khan soon headed him and piloted the lk-ld into the straight the first rime, with Tinohoro, Admiral Codring. ! toil, Molyneaux, and Miss Muriel close up. | Going out of the straight Admiral Codringj ton ran to the front, arid showed the way j down the back well clear of Miss Muriel, witi | 1 inohoro, Knublai Khan, and Molynea-ux | next, while Siarland and Sasanof made a I forward move. Admiral Codrington waboivling along in front coining into the straight, but he showed signs of the struggle at the distance. Molyneaux am Maugamfilioe heading him, the pair fougin out a great finish, the former winning by a. bead. T ile favi urite was half a length further back third, with Kltubia Khan fourth and Snsanof fifth. A. lot of interest was centred in the meet ing between Mermm and Rational in tin I Flying Handicap, the former (who wa I bracketed with Absurdmn) being favourite I The rare proved a good thing for Rational The Taranaki three-year-old was early ii I the lead, ai d never gave the rest, a chance | winning easily by a length and a-half fron I Grotesque, with Dovelet a length aw a', ! third. T he poor showing of Mermin wa a great disappointment, as at no part > the race did he show any pace, eventual!-, finishing; well back. After bis easy victory on the opening da; Rational was considered unbeatable in th< Guineas, being backed accordingly. Frnn an even start Mermin and Grotesque wen first to show out, the first-named showin; the way out of the si might, but t hey bin not gone far when Rational took charge an-' led down the hack, though Mermin. Grn tesriue, and Young Thurnliam were not fa

away. As they came into the straight uxc.temciu ran nigh when Melanin ran up to Rational, but Grotesque, coming lust on tiie outside soon settled the pair, winning nicely by a length from Rational, who stuck to his task well and beat Alermin a neck for second place. Grotesque finished very well and will be hard to beat in events extending over a, mile. Rational ran a good race, but will no doubt be more useful over sprint distances. Mermin showed considerable improvement on bis first day’s running, and will probably even up matters with Rational next time they meot. Radiant Light showed good form at the meeting, winning a nine furlong hack event each day. Her finishing effort on the second day was exceptionally brilliant. Halfway down the straight there appeared fully a dozen horses in front of her, but getting a clear run the daughter of Demosthenes fairly flew over the last bit, beating Espla; nade by half a length. Mr W. G. Stead possesses a promising filly for the principal three-year-old events ahead. Uncle Ned showed a return to form in the Flumpton Handicap. The veteran was in front at the distance and looked like bringing off a surprise, but failed to stall off Molyneaux’s final effort, suffering defeat by a neck. Molyneaux was tho star performer at the meeting, winning the principal event each day, the stake money attached to his two victories amounting to 2050sovs. In each of his races, the son of Danube was responsible for a brilliant effort over the concluding stages. Sir Utwayt won the juvenile event on the second day in good style ; the full brother to Surveyor is a promising youngster. Refinement (Shepherdv King—Elegance), a half-sister to Landslide, ran two good races at the meeting, and should be useful among tho two-year-olds. Absiirduin scored his first success as a three-year old in ihe? President’s Handicap. The son of Absurd will be handy in sprint events. Right and Left is coming back to form, and should not he long in making a return to his now owner. Tigrinia ran two good races, filling second place each day. On the second day the Merry Moment —Tigris mare was within half a .length of Absitrdutn. l’me Laziness is improving with racing and will not be long in catching the judge’s eye. General Advance scored a surprise win in the concluding event, returning his supporters nearly a quarter of a century. The victory of the Otago sportsman’s colours was well received.