AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S FIRST SPRING MEETING.

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 925, 19 September 1896, Page 19

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S FIRST SPRING MEETING.

A fortnight or so ago we were all pre" pared to wait for some weeks yet for the commencement of local racing. But thanks to the perspicuity of the AR.C. Club authorities, and to the generosity of a minor club, the usual first Spring Meeting at Ellerslie has been saved from extinction. The sudden change put new life into all things relating to racing. Horses which had been eased off were once more put in strong requisition, and the recent fine spring weather has all been in favour of training work. Aa is to be expected in the early spring, there is certain to be a sprinkling of horses backward in condition, but I think the coming meeting will prove these to be very few. The weather has been so fine that trainers have been able to push their horses along, and, thanks to the industry and foresight of the Ellerslie caretaker, the tracks were never in better order. So that, if the weather continues good, as at the time of writing, the opening of the new season, next Saturday and Wednesday, will be in keeping with the present rosy prospects of the future continued success of racing in New Zealand. Capital acceptances have been received for Saturday afternoon'B sport. The fields, in most of the events, are of very even character— such as, without being large in numbers, conduce to lively all round specu. lation and good racing. There are very few visitors engaged, and none of these call for special comment. I shall, therefore, proceed to my task to attempt forecasts for the various events, without further preamble. First on the programme for Saturday is the Trial Handicap, 7 fur. A New Zealand Cup candidate is at the top. This is Day Star. About him we have no reliable ( form to guide. He is fancied by his owner for the New Zealand Cnp. But that is not rnn for two months. If considered ready he will probably win. My own fancy lies with Lady Agnes, Lady Marion, and Merry Maid, with a preference for the firstnamed. Next is the Hurdle Race, lffm. When the weights first appeared 1 selected Aughadowey, and I see no reason to alter that judgment. Miss Bevan has won a couple of Hurdle Races in moderate sort of ' company. Beyond that I know nothing about her. Of those which I do know, I like Ongo and Paddy O'Rourke. The Spring Handicap, l? t m., promises to be a most interesting race. It is really composed of a nicely bred lot— all performers ; and the handicap is framed too well for easy solution. Acone is looking well, and has done good work. Waiuku, at the time of writing, has not arrived, but as he is a recent winner he caunot be in bad form. I think, myself, St. Kegei is too near these two in weight to beat either over this distance. Be that as it may, my impression is that the winner will come from one of the three-year-olds. Of these St. Paul is my fancy, bnt I cannot help thinking if Lady Agnes is in form her light weight may get her home. A deal of interest centres on the Welcome Stakes, 4 fur., in which our moat forward youngsters will make their debut. Opinion iB divided amongst Ellerslie people. But a concensus of opinion would in all probability determine the issue to be between the Necklace colt and Lady Evelyn filly. Not having seen enough of the two year- olds during the winter, I must defer to the Judgment of those who have had them under their eyes continuously. Which judgment I believe to be as above.

After the Welcome comes the Steeplechase, 3§m. I am afraid there is not a very select field heie, with the exception of the Gxeat Northern Steeplechase winner, Levanter. Beggarman has never done anything that I can remember of sufficient merit to place him above such a one as Rao's horse, and I cannot see him in it at all. Levanter if in form should win easily enough, and of the others, Fishmonger seems the best to recommend. The Flyng Stakes, 6 fur., is so much dependent on previous winning, that I shall not do further than reiterate my opinion, expressed last week, that Fabulist or Armilla should win.' The Pony Race, 6 fur., is composed of just half-a-dozen miniatures. Archduke has been jumped up suddenly for his one win, and though he may be a good pony, he has scarcely earned the weight. I think Pearl 11. or Fidget should win. The last event of the day, the Maiden Handicap, 6 fur., is composed of such unknown or uncertain characters that I feel dubious abont committing myself to a selection. However, Decoration, I fancy, will be found hardest to beat.