AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 52

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By

Digger

Last season’s brilliant two-year-old, Aspian, was badly' galloped on while racing at Ellerslie. One of his hind tendons was practically severed, and after veterinary treatment he had to be left in one of the racecourse, stalls, where he will remain until he is well enough to be shifted. Nothing is certain, but at present it see'tns doubtful whether Aspian will ever be able to race again. Bronze Eagle showed all his brilliant speed in the Great Northern Guineas, but the final pinch beat him. He has done well since that race, and will go south to race at the Trentham and Riccarton meetings. Next time out he will be very hard to beat, but of course there is still a doubt about his staying ability. This question is likely to be settled when the New Zealand Derby comes up for decision. Lady Vane made a fine showing in her only- start at Avondale, and her appearance suggests that she -has improved in the meantime. She is entered at Wellington, and will leave for the south in company with" Bronze Eagle after the Dargaville meeting, to be held at Avondale. P. E. Pope has entered High Comedy, Royal Artist, and Te a Trader at Trentham. These horses were galloping in fine style before Ellerslie, but all were beaten. It will be surprising if, when good conditions are maintained, one and all does not show his latest form to be all wrong. With the exception of Ammon Ra, and possibly Utter Prolyxo or Voyager, the members of J. T. Jamieson’s team at present in Australia were expected to leave for home on Friday. Outside the great deeds of Ammon Ra, the trip has not been otherwise successful. It is evident that Mr C. B. O’Donnell made a happy purchase when he secured Tankard to join his other horse, Soloist, in A. Cook’s stable. He would have been a good thing in either the Avondale or Welcome Stakes, and the manner in which he won the Nursery at Avondale and the Musket Stakes at Ellerslie shows him to be easily the best yet seen out this season. Puriri Park has been running true to form, and he has not put up a bad showing in his last four starts. He has one win and a dead-beat to his credit this season, and during the dry spell he can be depended upon to continue to show good form. One of the best future propositions in Auckland should be Gay Lap, who has run some great races recently, and has on occasions been unlucky. He was a good thino- beaten in the Liverpool Handicap at Ellerslie, and is likely to soon make amends. Karapoti had two outings at Ellerslie, and in both he showed all his former speed. He will be a different horse the next time he goes to the races, which will probably- be at the Wellington spring meeting. Soloist, who showed promising form at the back end of last season, is again a member of A. Cook’s active team. It is confidently expected that Soloist is going to be a galloper well above the average, and that he will be heard from as soon as he acquires the necessary condition. Gold Money- was not fortunate in any of her recent outings. This good mare, as a result, is gradually- getting down in the weights, and she should soon show a return to her real form. Karangapai’s running at Ellerslie indicated that he was caught just a little above himself, but he did well enough to attract attention to his future prospects. He will find the classes easier at Dargaville, and he will also have improved condition to help him.