AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3555, 2 May 1922, Page 43

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

r [By Digcer.] Jocke * , CWs Autumn each chv f v ery ia, /.= e attendance a bis- dvnn ‘Sator figures showed g diop the sum handled during the two days £92.920 10s, being £3 6 ssf less than last year’s total. ’ less An unfortunate incident occurred on the Roskill d lTmW ter thu * l ' unn ”W of the Mount Sill- Cap i wo P b >' Marble Slab, vvith Pohni second and Euphoria third. A nLL'!T 10n ° f V u ' t crowd thought Euphoc had won, and when the numbers were hoioted gathered around the judge’s box giving vent to their feelings b v hooting fii Je r g V thl f llein ® kept up for some une. The finish was certainly close, lout several whose opinions are reliable were quite satisfied the judge's verdict was correct,- while no doubt many of those who thought otherwise never saw the finish at all. the trainer of Euphoria, Mr J. A. Binder, lodged an objection against the judges decision, but it was quickly dismissed- by the stewards, and his deposit ordered to be forfeited. The Alfiaged Slakes attracted a good neki, including I hespian, Rational, Kpitaph, and Royal Box. Thespian drew No. 1 position at the post, and was the popular selection, with Epitaph a good second tancy. it rorn an even dispatch Thespian was ixrst to show clear, and set out to make the pace with Rational, Epitaph, Highland and Royal Box all well up. The lastnamed. striking trouble when about a furloug and a-half had been covered, was knocked right hack last, and nearly cants down Thespian came round into the straight well clear, and looked like scoring an easy victory when O’Shea brought Rational along with a- line run. and excitement ran high us lie gained on the favourite at every stride, but the post, was too near, Thespian getting the verdict by a neck, Highland was third, with Epitaph fourth, I 1 was a great race between the pair, drawing the inside position and keeping the rails all the way just about won the race for Thespian, as Rational was going the best over the concluding stages, rhe mishap to Royal Box was unfortunate, while both Highland and Epitaph did not appear to- get an uninterrupted run.

Chicome showed his vistory in the Autumn Handicap at EHerslie was no fluke by winning the- Avondale Handicap with 8.5 in' the saddle. Hitherto the Guianforte gelding was regarded as a sprinter, but during the past week-has captured two events, extending to one mile and a-half and one mile and a-quarter respectively. Sea Deil and Oakleigb had a great go in the Steeplechase on the opening day. the former winning, by a head. Sea Deil stays one well, and looks like turning out a good o.ne over the big fences. Ooroglen was going well in front in the Steeplechase on the opening day when he came to grief three fences from home. On returning to the -paddock he was limping badly, and will probably be off the scene for some time.

Koura, the winner of the Steeplechase on the second day, only got as far as the first fence on the opening day. Snake won (he two-mile hurdle race on the second day rather easily. As Dir R. Hannon’s representative is equally at home over the big fences, -he will be in the limelight for jumping events ahead. Bonny Canny, the two-year-old brother to Glen Canny, scored his initial win in t.fie Nursery Handicap, He finished on well, and should turn out a useful three-vear-old. Nocturne was going well in front coining into the straight, but spoilt her chance by running out wide, finishing in third position a!,.tit half a length behind the winner. Cantoris won the Oakley Handicap (nine furlongs) very comfortably, and should run well in much better company. Prince Abbey made a one-horse race of the Railway Handicap. The Quinn Afihev gelding is very smart for six furlongs. Khublai Khan ran two good races at the meeting, winning the Welter on the opening day, and was right up in fourth position in the principal event on the second day. Depredation was among the runners in the Welter on the first, day, but the old fellow failed to show any of his former dash.