AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 54

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By

Digger

H. Gray has purchased a property at Takanini, and his son, J. Gray, will shortly set up his training quarters there. At present he has under his charge the two-year-old Bronze Eagle and a gelding bj* Potoa. F. Eoomb, who had such a good run at Avondale, did not return to Te Awamutu. He was expected to come to Ellerslie from Avondale on Sunday with his team of 12.

Supremacy and Gold Money were early scratchings for their engagements on the first day at Ellerslie Supremacy was the early favourite for his race, so that his defection would be a boon to early betters. Gold Money is working in her best style, and’ will be favoured in the first race she contests.

That good stayer Corinax has resumed work at Ellerslie. He is burly in condition, and will take some time to acquire racing condition. Several novices in Frothblower, Thunderstorm, and Lost Comet are being schooled at Ellerslie, but none of them is likely to win early. Historic should be improved for his race at Avondale, and on a dry track he looks like turning the tables on Prodice in the Mitchelson Cup, a race he won last year. There was no great merit in Count Palatine’s Wanganui victory; but the four-year-old is a likely stayer, and if he strips well at Ellerslie should be a dangerous candidate in the Mitchelson Cup. Catoma has now won two hack races on end. In his second victory he had little to spare; but he is a lazy sort that has always to be reckoned with, and as he is steadily on the imnrove he will again be hard to beat at Ellerslie. ' Karapoti failed at Avondale after leading for most of the journey. Bad ground and lack of racing were factors in Karapoti’s defeat, but he can be relied upon to make amends for the future very soon. He is a fine type and a very attractive galloper. There were no outstanding two-year-olds at Avondale, and the Welcome Stakes at Ellerslie should be a good race. Late track form may be the best guide to the result.

The Hawke’s Bay two-year-old Gold Pit, a son of a new sire Cockpit, has created a good impression at Ellerslie, and he is regarded as a possibility for two-year-old honours at the coming meeting. Lucy Rose is consistently beaten by what looks l : ke bad luck in sprint races, but is really lack of early brilliancy. This mare is well, and if tried over sli”h+lv longer journeys, would soon return to the winning list.

Biddy s Boy is probably the best hack m Auckland, but he is still a maiden because of the facL that he has been set to win hard races. He will get some weight

if eent back to the hack class, but he cannot long be kept off the winning list. He is a particularly smart beginner that can run a mile right out. Air King looks like making a good hurdler. His opening display at Avondale wqs-an impressive one, and with a bad lot of jumpers in commission he may win again at short notice. Taumai was in need of a race at Avondale, but nevertheless made a fair showing. He will strip better at Ellerslie, where he may add another to his list of successes.

Jaeldy _ Karo, the Avondale maiden winner, is a nice-looking three-year-old. He made a fine run from a bad position, and, won in a manner suggestive of better deeds to come. He is a three-year-old that was not overdone last year, and is now show’ing the benefit of being allowed to mature.