The Turf.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 77, 14 January 1892, Page 7

The Turf.

[BY OLD TURFITE.J

The Auckland Trotting Club’s second day of their Summer Meeting took place last Saturday, and was most successful. Unfortunately I was prevented from being there on the first day. The working Committee have made great improvements since the Club was first formed, but they have still a great deal to do. The telegraph board has been shifted, persons on the stand can now see the numbers; but the course wants, if possible, improving, as it is too uneven and the turns rather too sharp to enable a horse to make fast time. This will no doubt be done in time. The Club have the names of plenty of stewards, but last Saturday there were a great many absentees. Those present worked well, but there was only one to judge the trotting instead of at least four. If several horses had been called off the track it would have been much better for some of the others. One of the stewards remarked to me that it did not much matter as they had no chance. This is a great mistake, as a horse breaking and galloping, especially in a large field, may greatly interfere with a horse that has a chance. When the Club decided to give so much added money to their summer meeting it was predicted that they would lose money over it. Such, I am glad to say, is not the case. Moreover, it has produced a better class of horses ; many have come from a distance, though, unfortunately, owing to the difficulty between the Club and the New Trotting Association, none came from the South Island. It also showed some of the Auckland people that if they want to win trotting races they must get a better class of animal and not be satisfied with old crocks. The fields for the trotting ruled large, but the handicapping was not good, the races, with one exception, being won easily and by horses with long starts.

As the acceptances for the Onehunga Racing Club were only declared last night I am compelled to take the handicaps as they stand. Owing to the great amount of racing'and hard ground, the chances are that the fields will be small. There are eleven in the Hurdle Race. Of these The Colonel (12st 101 b), Stepper (lOst 121 b), and Tawhana (9st) read about the best. There are also eleven in the Maiden Plate. Mr. Halstead has not forgotten Van Diemen at lOst. As they are a very moderate lot, Transit i (7st 51b) and Focus (6st 71b) seem his most dangerous opponents. Of the eight in the Handicap Steeplechase the three top weights— Hopeful Kate 12st, Nap lOst 101 b, and Chance 9st 121b —read about the best. Of the ten in the Handicap Pony Race one or two of them will be disqualified for running at an unregistered meeting. Of the ten who are weighed for the Onehunga Cup Glaucus(7st 101 b), Tulloch(7st),

and Ida (6st 121 b) read the best. There are fifteen entered for the Welter Handicap, which is greatly dependant on previous running, so therefore it had better be left alone until the numbers go up. There are no less than twelve entered for the Flying Stakes. Of these Helen McGregor, Mr. Thomson’s selected one, and Vieux Rose appear fairly in.

Mr Knight has published the weights for the two principal events of the Takapuna Summer Meeting. Considering they were difficult handicaps to make, there are not many glaring mistakes. I fail, however, to see why Dolosa should give 21bs to Leorina and 41bs to Ingorina, nor on what running he makes Pinfire give Fiesole and Coalscuttle 141 b. Lady Belle, 7st2lb, might have had a few pounds more considering it is a mile and a half, and Tulloch should also have had a few pounds more. The Takapuna Steeplechase has more errors. It is hard to see why Nap and Fishmonger should have the same weights (lOst 61b), the former being partial to the course. Hune and Rae s horses (The Colonel, Lonely, and Good Day) are leniently treated, while Cloth of Gold (9st 101 b) and Try Fluke (9st 71b) have nothing to complain of, but I shall have further opportunities of commenting on the handicaps next week.