AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 439, 22 December 1898, Page 15

AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

[By

Atlas.]

The Summer Meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club should be a great success. The club deserves that result because of the liberal nature of the prize money offered. The entries received are certainly good, but it is unfortunate that accidents at sea have robbed the big event of the meeting, the Exhibition Cup, of an inter-colonial interest. The liberal prize offered encouraged Mr Fitzgerald to enter that sterling good performer, Kathleen, and Huon Leigh, but it is now history that on the passage from Sydney Kathleen—-who I think would have gone very near winning—< was killed, while Huon Leigh was so badly injured that he has since been sent back to Sydney. This was not only bad luck for th j owner, who I am sure has general sympathy, but it was bad luck for the club. However, Mr Mark and his energetic committee will survive this misfortune-, and I feel confident that the entertainment they will place before their patrons during the ensuing Christmas holidays will be the best on record for trotting meetings in the Auckland district. Splendid fields are sure to start in every event, and I am assured that the track was never in such good order before. Excellent arrangements have been made for the rapid transit of passengers to and from Potter’s Paddock, and I hope the meeting will in every way be a success. I have now to use the prophetic pen, and venture on the following predictions : — The ball will be started rolling on the first day at 12.45 with the Maiden Plate, for which I fancy the chances of Waiter Arßi 1 Empress 2 Miss Emerson 3 Maiden Pony Handicap. 1 Playboy ... ••• ••• 2 Repeat 3 Exhibition Cup. GOLDEN KING 1 LUSITANIA 2 OTAKEHO 3 I hope to see a great race for this event. It is a thousand pities that the death of Kathleen by accident at sea, and the injury at the same time sustained, by Huon Leigh, should have deprived the contest of an intercolonial character. Still, the race should be an interesting one, and some of the unknowns should make matters merry. The Honolulu mare, Judah, for instance, has all the appearance of being a good one, and may be

worth watching, but I do not apprehend that sh© will be dangerous just at present. Bagby has hot had her long enough here to cause me much apprehension. Pioke should have a chance on his spring form. La Rue has been breaking badly in his work, and that cause© me to neglect his chance. Old Judge, I hear, has struck himself ; in his work, and may not start; if he does I ana. afraid that his having been eased in his work will ' seriously affect his chance. Yum Yum has recently thrown twin foals and cannot possibly race. Pony Cup. Certain ... ... 1 Kit ... ... ... ... 2 Israelite ... ... ... 3 We always hear good things of Nora, but she is such a inad-cap that she should not be trusted. Her vagaries tried the patience of even J. B.' Williamson, and, after that, backers should fight shy of the bonnie little mare. Electric Trot. Miss Huon 1 ~ Cob ... ... ... ... 2 Lusitania , 3 Handicap Hurdles; Repeat 1 New Boy ... ... ... 2 The Dove ... ... ... 3 Telephone Handicap; The probable result of this race will be best indicated by the performances of the ponies in the preceding events of the meeting. For the same reason I refrain from attempting to pick the winner of the December Handicap. Juvenile Handicap; * I anticipate this will be a walk-over for' Waitekauri. notes. ; The sale of privileges in connection with the Auckland Trotting Club’s Summer Meeting, held by Messrs Churton and Co. on Friday last, was only moderately successful. The publican’s booth was knocked down to Mr A. R. Dunn for £l2O, the refreshment booth to Mr Murphy for £5, the cards to Mr W. Adams for £9l, and the gates to Mr Marks for £l4O.