AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 58

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By

Digues.

A late arrival at Ellerslie is the Carl Rosa-Idna gelding Ixird Guy, who showed promise early in the season, but subsequently trained off. He is now a member of Robertson’s team.

It was mentioned last week that Tidal returned from Australia without having raced. It tianspires that he did race on one occasion, but made a poor showing. The rising two-year-olds by Gay Lad from Assertive and Matata, who are trained by G. George, will race under the respective names of Justify and Attalad. W Patterson is handling a rising three-year-old colt by Royal Soult from Pretty I'orm, thus a full brother to the well-per-formed jumper Royal Form. F. Weston is breaking in a rising two-year-old by Gold Circle from Soliloquy, thus a full brother to Segment, who showed speed during the season just ending without winning outright. One of the nicest youngsters at Ellerslie is the filly by Lucullus—Avon Park in F. Gilchrist’s stable. She is ivcl grown and beautifully mannered, and, like her full brother Master Mind, may show early speed. Unfortunately influenza attacked that horse at an early stage and affected his wind.

W. Mabberley, who has been out of the game for a long time on account of illhealth, was recently granted a license, and he has made a start with the Queen Abbey gelding San Quin. The three-year-old CariaHs, who was taken over some weeks ago by the Te Awamutu trainer W. Stone, will carry the colours of Mr B. E. Hart, having been leased by that sportsman from Mr A. E. Leonard. His form in the autumn was very encouraging, and he looks like being a good proposition for an early maiden race.

Glendowie, perhaps the most promising hunter in Auckland, is reported amiss, due to an injured muscle. It is bad luck for his owner to lose his services at the opening of the hunting season, when many good stakes are offering for this class. It will be remembered that Glendowie fell when appearing to have a steeplechase well won on the last day of the Great Northern meeting. The weather remains very bad in the north, and trainers have little opportunity to do other than the lightest tasks with their horses. The Avondale Cup is decided in September, and at this stage the odds are strongly on this well-endowed race being won by a visitor. D. Monaghan is starting right away with the filly by Great Star—Sylva Laid that he purchased at the Trentham sale. She is now»being handled.

One of our best early handicap prospects is Gala Day, who is doing splendidly. He picked up a nail last Friday, but after treatment is quite all right again, and lost little time as a result of the injury. C. Norgrove is still spelling Princess Ronnie and Kahukura, but both will be placed in work as soon as the conditions become more favourable.

Sleepy Sol and Luxurious are again active members of W. Gall’s team, but, like all the local ’’horses, their tasks are of necessity of the moderate nature. The Catmint—Nordica gelding that raced at Trentham under the name of Hannibal did so in error. Mr J. E. Wells, of Auckland, is the owner of a younger full brother, for whom the name Hannibal had been claimed. By a mistake the elder horse’s owner, Mr F. Hall, used the name, but the matter has been rectified, and a new title will be found for his horse.

11. Wiggins has definitely decided not to remain in Australia, and he will return in time to take part at the Grand National meeting at Riccarton.