AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 55

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By

Digger.

Acceptances aro not available at the time of writing for the Franklin meeting, which will extend over two days this year, but there is every reason to believe that the fixture will be a very successful one, as the nominations were exceptionally good. J. Buchanan now has charge of Peketahi. He is not a good one, but may have possibilities in high-weight hasdicaps or later on in jumping events. The maiden Storm Fiend has been walloping well on the tracks, and has only to reproduce that form in public to prove dangerous at Pukekohe. Minor ailments have in the past impeded this gelding's preparation, but he is now in tiptop order, • Bombarder was raced in a big field of hacks at Te Aroha, and showed up outside the placed horses at the finish. He will meet the easiest field he has yet encountered in the Bombay Handicap on Saturday, and his prospects of breaking his maiden status look very bright. Sir Rosebery, in charge of Walter Garrett. was due to leave for Australia on Friday, his principal mission being the Great Eastern Steeplechase at Onkaparinga. E. Garrett was to accompany the party to ride the big fellow in his engagements.

Royal Doulton is said to have been kicked at the barrier when she won the President’s Handicap at Te Aroha. It is not known whether the effects were serious, or whether she is to fulfil her Franklin Cup engagement. The Romeo mare is a high-class galloper, and if she goes to the post she should severely test the opposition. All going ■well with her Royal Doulton should finish up the season with an attractive record. At Te Aroha Le Choucas weakened slightly at the end of a solidly run 10 furlongs, but he is getting a fitter horse every day, and with that racing should strip better at Pukekohe. As he was a close third he Iras not to make much improvement to get near the major prize next time out.

Grey Cockade and Bright Dawn —a brace of winners on the northern circuit —are to race at Pukekohe, and the former, who is improving, may show up among the maidens. He has not been seen since the Kawakawa fixture, and so his condition cannot be commented upon. S. Hodge has taken over Mr T. Impey’s team, and is now located at Avondale. He has not an enviable task to make a success of his new position, as most of the horses have been showing little form at all.

Lord Guy, Prince Papa, White Light, and Spalmoor have all been schooled during the week. The most impressive of an ordinary lot was Prince Papa, a beginner. He is a big gelding by Prince Merriwee from Te Papapa, and has not been up long. Tea Time is reputed to have a dislike to soft ground, and that is why he did not start at Te Aroha. He is in good shape, and will carry some money if the ground suits him at either the Franklin or Paeroa meetings. Age is making him more solid, and he is now quite a good sprinter.

Micrometer is a useful mare, and she can stay, but she was not well handled by her apprentice rider at Te Aroha. She has only to be a little luckier in running to add another victory to her list at approaching fixtures. Two victories at Matamata and Te Aroha have brought Ladies’ Boy into the limelight. He is a small, but quality-like son of Some Boy 11, and has a great turn of speed. Racing is bringing him on rapidly, and it should not be long before he runs out of hack company. He is trained at Te Aroha by C. J. Carmont. sen. J. Williamson did not produce Corinax at Te Aroha, but the Magpie gelding has