AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 51

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By

Digger.

The Auckland Racing Club’s Winter meeting was a successful gathering. Though the weather on the second day was rather unsatisfactory, it did not appreciably affect the. attendance, which was estimated at 24.00 Q. The Governor-General,' Lord Jeiiicoe, and Lady Jeilicoe were present. With large fields engaged in practically every event, the racing throughout was full of interest, and the management of the meeting was up to the high standard aitt’a J s to be found at Ellerslie, reflecting great credit on the secretary, Mr Vv. Spence, and his efficient staff. The totalisatcr figures were very satisfactory, the sum of £219,972 10s being handled during the three days, which showed an increase of £7382 10s on last year’s figures. The Great Northern Hurdle Race attracted the seventeen horses on the card. Tinokaha winding up a slightly better favourite than En Route, Kohu being eleventh in the order of favouritism. There was a long delay at the post, Omahu, the principal offender being given altogether too much latitude. Oranga was unable to start through being kicked while at the post. When tiiey were let go, Omahu and Tinokaha were early in the lead, the pair jumping jhe initial fence together, and showed the way past the stand the first time with Miss Melva, Mia Bella, Poanui and En Route their nearest attendants. ■Running down the back Tinokaha was just in front cf Miss Melva. En Route, Omahu and Royal Abbey being Well up, Tinokaha made a bad jump at the hurdle near the five furlong post and lost his position, En Route, taking charge, but coming into the straight the second time Royal Abbey was the leader and led past the stand with En Route. Mia Bella, Tinokaha, Omahu, Sea De’il, Peter Amans, Poanui. Kohu,, Penury Rose, General Advance, Mary Bruce, Miss Melva, War Loan, Mimiwhangata and Dick racing in that order. Going down the back the last time En Route was going nicely in the lead, but the hurdle at the six furlong post brought him down. This left Royal Abbey in charge with Sea De’il, Mia Bella, Kohu. Poanui and Peter Amans all well placed. Omahu, who had been holding a good position all the way, dropped back very quickly five furlongs from home. Royal Abbey came round the home turn in front of Kohu and Sea De’il, but Kohu was alongside Royal Abbey jumping the last fence, and, finishing full of running, won easily by four lengths from Royal Abbey and Tinokaha, who ran a dead heat for second place, the latter putting in a great run over the last bit. Mary Bruce finished very well and got fourth, just in front of Sea De’il, Peter Amans, Poanui and Dick being the next to finish, with War Loan, General Advance and Mimiwhangata last. Kohu stayed on well, and gave nothing else a chance in the run home. Tinokaha lost a lot of ground at several jumps, which affected his chance considerably, Sea De’il was in the picture at the last fence, but tired over the last bit. The withdrawal of Royal Abbey, General Advance, No Bother, Oranga and Silverton left a field of eleven to go to the post in the Great Nort’nen Steeplechase. In a good betting race Kohu finished uip a slightly better favourite than Tigerland. When they settled down Sea De’il, Snake, and Gay Boy comprised the leading division and negotiated the first fence in close company. Going up the hill the first time Snake was the pilot. Sea De’il, Thiganthu, Vociferate and Tigerland running ngxt’ Kohu being last. Sea De’il headed Snake at. the second fence, and showed the way down the hill, and over the water jnmn, the positions at this stage being Sea De’il’ Snake, Thiganthu, Dick, Gay Boy Pittsworth, Tigerland Kohu, Mary Bruce. Oakleign and \ ociferate. Racing down the back Dick took charge and led up the hill the second time, with Snake, Thiganthu, Sea De il and Gay Boy his nearest attendants. Vociferate being well back last, txohu was the first to come down, falling at the second fence on the hill. Dick had a commanding lead coming dow n the hill and showed the way to the double. Thiganthu, Sea De’il, Tigerland, Mary Bruce Pittsworth, Snake, Oakleigh and Vociferate following m that order. Thiganthu fell at the second fence of the double. Going up the hill the last time Mary Bruce was alongside Dick, with Vociferate, who had m^ e “P a lot of ground, running next while Tigerland, who had been running tlrR p ° f th f ‘ ctru ST le mid dropped b Vi Mary Bruce led to the first fence on the hill, but tried to shirk it though her rider eventually got her over. This gave Dick a good lead, and as he came down the hill he looked a sure winner, but Mary Bruce was not yet done with and gradually overhauling the leader, was just behind him at the last fence. Once over both horsemen sat down on their mounts runnit Ug hlr Ut \5 reat ' e.xciteS h ' gh as tke pair raced up the straight and crossed the line locked together the issue being in doubt, until the numbers were hoisted. The judge’s decision beine in favour of Mary Bruce by a neck Voof ferate finished third twelve lengths just m front of Pittsworth. Mary Bruce registered a fine performance, and would have been very unlucky to lose. S. Hender son rode a fine race and got a good reception on returning to the paddock Dick ran a good race, after making the pace for he greater part of the journey. He finished like a true stayer. • isned After the race an inquiry was held into bv V °f ■ a ", eged interference of Pittsworth bv Vociferate The stewards decided to award third place to Pittsworth, and suspended R. Hunt, the rider of Vociferate for six months.

The Kara was responsible for a good performance ,n the Cornwall field he defeated being a good one. Te Kara is a half-brother by General Latour to yueen March and Lucius. The Members’ Handicap on the opening day provided a great finish. Cool Stimulant winning by a head from Pavo and Bonny Canny, who ran a dead heat for second

place with Tactful and Lady Lois almost in line. Pavo ran a great race with the steadier of 11.2 in the saddle.

Kauri Park, a tnree-quarter brother to the Grand National Hurdles winner Kauri King, brought off a surprise in the Hunter's Hurdles, returning over a quarter of a century. He has not been in work long, and should be equal to holding his own in much better company later on. By winning the King George Handicap an-J running second in the York Welter, Strategy went very close to repeating his performance of two years back, when he was successful in both events. Comical ran consistently at the meeting, and his victory in the York Welter was well deserved. it came as a surprise to see a good two-figure dividend follow his win.

Fining Thumb,am, who has only been put to the jumping game during the last couple of months, looks like developing into a useful performer. His victories in the Hunt Club Cup and Orakei Hurdle. Race showed the four-year-old son of Tliurnham and Analogy up in a favourable light. Omahu showed a return to form by scoring a fairly comfortable win in the Winter Steeplechase. His poor showing in the Great Northern Hurdles was a keen disappointment to his connections. Evidently the Maniapoto gelding will not always do his best.

The Wellington-owned pair Tigerland and En Route were expected to distinguish themselves at, the meeting, but their showing was very disappointing. Tigerland failed to stay on in each of the steeplechases he contested, while En Route fell in both hurdle races he was started in. Royal Abbey showed improved form over hurdles by running a, dead-heat for second place in the Grand National Hurdle Race, and winning the Panmure and Campbell Hurdle Race on the second and third days respectively. The big son of Quinn Abbey should extend his winning record during the jumping season. Peter Amans registered his most important victory to- date when he led the field home in the Remuera Hurdles. The St. Amans gelding is in capita] form at present-. Flowing Bowl ran well in the minor hurdle events, filling second place twice and once third in three starts. His turn should not be far off. Tinopono was rather unlucky at the meeting in filling second place each day. The three-year-old half-brother to Royal Abbey and Lord Star should be a good horse next season. The imported colt Musketoon won the concluding event after an interesting finish with Tinopono. Musketoon was started in a similar event on the second daw hut was little fancied on the machine. On the concluding day he was sent out favourite. The tota.lisa.tor figures gave a clear indication of his form, on both occasions.