AUCKLAND R.C. SUMMER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 772, 22 December 1904, Page 8

AUCKLAND R.C. SUMMER MEETING.

GUP DAY ANTICIPATIONS.

L By “THE JUDGE.”]

It seems only the other day that we assembled at .Ellerslie to witness \\ airiki score a hollow victory in the Cup, but twelve months have elapsed since Mr Bradley’s colours triumphed in the great two-mile event, and now racegoers are once again called upon to participate in the great summer carnival of the Auckland Racing Club, the premier event of the world of sport in the North Island. Every city has its partizans, and therefore Melbourneites swear by their Cup week, while Christchurch folk consider their November meeting the best event of the turf year. Having visited nearly every racecourse of note in the colonies I can say with confidence that for genuine enjoyment there is no better gathering than the coming fixture, which, extending as it does over four days, provides sport in plenty under almost ideal conditions. Never has Ellerslie looked better than is the case at present, for although we have had a very wet and unpleasant spring, it has had the effect of making- everything fresh and green, the flower beds being quite a sight, while both course and lawn are in the most faultless condition. During the week everv steamer and train has added its quota to the number of visitors in Auckland who are visiting the Northern city on pleasure bent, and therefore it. is safe to assume that if Monday proves fine the curtain will be rung up on a crowd of mammoth proportions. Mr Percival, the secretary, and his large staff are making adequate arrangements for dealing with the anticipated big rush, and everything should go smoothly. A large number of special trains will be run to the racecourse platform, and particulars of these will be found in our advertising columns. In addition the Electric 1 ramway Company will have as many cars as possible on the Remuera route, and these should have the effect of relieving the congestion in the traffic. A°look through the list of. candidates with a view to ascertaining those whose chances are rosiest may be found of interest. Racing will be commenced at .noon on Monday with the I rial Handicap, of 100 sovs, seven furlongs. In this there is a nice field of eighteen, with the probability of most facing the starter. Jewellery has top weight, but if she runs Tike she did in the Spring Handicap which was over the same distance, she will take some beating, even with 91b more in the saddle. The three who might fill the places are — WAIPUNA WAIKATO THE MIDDY The Great Northern Foal Stakes, of 500 sovs, six furlongs, is the next event. It hardly appears that we have anything good enough in Auckland to put down Mr Stead’s representative. Carl Rosa is probably our best, and a victory for the son of Seaton Delaval would be very popular. There are three hailing from, the Yaldhurst stable, these being Sunirod, Noctuiform, and Delaware, and whichever is started .should win, although not without strong opposition from King Billy. The placings should be — MR STEAD’S SELECTED KING BILLY CARL ROSA The great event of the day, the Auckland Cup, of 1500 sovs, two miles, next comes on for consideration. Unfortunately there will only be eight starters, even if that number go to the post, and some ■of these have not shown any form to entitle them to be considered Cup horses. Mahutonga ruled for a long time as favourite, but has now been displaced, although no liberties are taken with his name. He is a good horse, but no champion, or he would never have been beaten by a moderate horse like Grand Rapids in the New Zealand Cup. Many consider he was ridden without judgment in that •event or he would have won, but he has been handicapped quite as severely as though he had placed the Southern event to his credit. Melodeqn has before now given proof that he can stay the journey out all right, and with a good horseman like F. Davis in the saddle should put up a brave fight. Romeo has quite enough weight to carry, but he is looking in rare buckle, and in Victor Cotton s hands is certain to give a good account of him•self. Scotty has many admirers, andl it must be noted about this horse that when his party are sweet about his

chance he generally wins. If he can stay it out Scotty has plenty of pace to finish with, but there is that “ if ’ to be considered, and as yet he has not gone so long a journey. A lot of money has gone on Ghoorka during the last few days, there being a big commission in the market from the South. He seems rather a 1 horse of moods, but if it is his day out he will take a lot of beating. Starshoot is certainly the best handicapped horse in the race, but can he stay ? He ran badly at Woodville, despite which fact he was supported for a lot of money immediately afterwards. If considered better than Melodeon he should win. Kemp has come up to . ride Starshoot, but somehow I prefer the stable mate. Gladstone is very well, but neither his previous form nor his recent track work give the chestnut much chance. It is a lon°- time since Idas won a race, but she is a stayer and might possibly come to light, although I have no great fancy for her. The battle will be among the six at the top of the fist, and so even are their merits considered that all. will be well backed. I'he three which appeal to me most are — ROMEO MAHUTONGA MELODEON After the excitement has cooled down the Grafton Hurdle Race, of 200 sovs, two miles, comes on for consideration. ’There are nine left in for this, and as Spalpeen is hardly the horse he was the three to catch the judge’s eye may be— UP-TO-DATE BELLMAN CATHERINE GORDON ’rhe Railway Handicap, of 400 soys, six furlongs, is the next item on the bill-of-fare, and this should give rise to a great betting race. Sixteen horses have been accepted for, and nearly all of them have chances. Hohoro at his very best might win, for he is a great finisher. Kremlin has hosts of admirers despite his 71b penalty. Black and Gold is very fit just now and may be dangerous. Savoury will be a red-hot favourite, but hardly appears to be the absolutely sure thing that many consider him. Boris has been whispered about of late as having more than an outside chance. Avalanche may have to be reckoned with, a good outsider is Lady Annie. To take three to fill the places 1 will go for — SAVOURY KREMLIN BLACK AND GOLD Next comes the Nursery Handicap, of too sovs, five furlongs. Boomerang has shown himself the superior of the Northern contingent and he should win, but if Carl Rosa is slipped for the event he might be dangerous. Tailing him possibly Mr Lusk may place them— BOOMERANG LURESOME APOLOGUE ’The Pony Cup, of 150 sovs, seven furlongs, is certain to give rise to a most spirited battle for all the cracks are engaged. Sonoma has not been herself of late and may not start. Forth if really well would be very dangerous. Fashionable is in great heart and ought to just about win. ’To place them the positions may go to — FASHIONABLE ORANGE AND BLUE LUCRECE The concluding event on Monday is the Christmas Handicap, of 150 sovs, one mile. Several are entered for this whose names appear in other races, and it is difficult to say which will start. If they <>o to the post the three I like best are— SIGNALMAN DELANIA THE MIDDY ’l'he following are the acceptances Trial Handicap of 100 sove; seven futlongs.

Gbfat Northeux Foal Stakes of 500 sovs ; six furlongs. Mr E. W. Alison’s br c Foremost, by Phoebus Apollo— Forme Mr S. Bradley’s b c, by Soult —Lady Musket Messrs R. and R. Duder’s br c Uevonport, by Soult — Anna Mr J. A. Harding's b f, by Phoebus Apollo—Field Rose Mr A. Lennard s b c Carl Rosa, by Seaton Delaval— Vieux Rose Mr J. D. Manson’s b c, by Stepniak—Ranee Nuna Mr D. O’Brien’s br c Multifid, by Multiform -Heriot Mr J. P. Sinclair s br e, by Hotchkiss —Mantle Mr G. G. Stead’s b c Sungod, by Multiform -Otterden Mr G. G. Stead’s ch f Noctuiform, by Multiform-la Nette Mr G. G. Stead’s br c Delaware, by Seaton Delaval— Stepfeldt Mr E. J. Watt’s br c King Billy, by Merriwee—lndian Queen

Rtlh <-t ... » 0 Tab ora ... 7 0 ... 8 Pe.rl N-’kl. t ... 7 0 Waikato n Mechanic ... ... 7 0 Wainuna 7 11 Woodfield ... 6 n Numa ... 7 11 ... .. 6 9 8wa'f>m n .. 7 9 Mauku ... « 9 Austerliti ... 7 8 Cairagno ... 6 9 Oichton ... 7 5 1 "relink ... 6 7 The Middy ... .. 7 a Muthema ... 6 7 Golden Banda ... 7 2

Auckland Cup of 1,500 sovs ; two miles. st lb st lb Mahutcnga 8 12 Ghiorka 7 9 Melodeon. 8 8 Starshoot 7 8 Romeo 8 7 Gl .dstone 7 6 Scotty ... 8 3 Adas .. .. ... 7 3 Gbafton Hubdi.e Race Handicap of 2C0 sovs: two miles. Up-to-Date 11 10 Pharis... 9 8 Spalpeen 11 3 Loch Lomond 9 5 Bellman 11 0 Irish 9 0 Catherine Gordon ... 10 9 Wellcast 9 0 Banana 10 3 Railway Handicap of 400 to vs ; six furlongs Hohoro 9 9 Avalanche including Kremlin, includ. 71b 31b penalty 7 11 penalty 8 12 Ai.sa .. 7 10 Marshal Soult 8 1 Lady Annie 7 9 Black and Gold, in. Numa 7 8 31b penalty 8 6 btr-ithavon 7 5 Savoury » 4 To-morrow 7 5 Boris 8 4 Seabird 8 12 Golden Vein, includBeau Seaton ... 6 10 71b penalty 8 0 Crichton 6 9 Nursery Handicap of 100 sovs.; five furlongs Boomeiatg ... 9 8 Czarevna 7 8 Carl Kota 8 11 Hiro 7 6 Hauraki 7 12 Annette 7 6 Apologue 7 12 Daidanus 7 5 Master Lelaval 7 lu Merry Lelaval 7 0 Horsa 7 9 silky 6 10 Luiesome 7 8 Pony Cup Handicap of 150 sovs; seven furlongs. Sonoma 9 12 Whawhai 7 7 Forth 8 8 Sally Horner 7 5 Fashionable 8 8 Miss Cuirassier 7 4 Orange and Blue ... 8 7 Gladys Rose 7 8 Manoeuvre 8 0 Sentinel 7 2 Reduction 7 12 Lady Lottie ... 7 0 Lucrece 7 8 Lucy Godfrey 6 10 Christmas Handicap of 150 sovs ; one mile. Signalman 8 12 Heroism 7 3 Waikato 7 12 Bowman 7 2 Waipuna 7 11 The Middy 6 12 The Needle 7 9 Seabird « 11 Numa . 7 8 Idasa 6 10 8 wagsman .. M 7 6 Klupeth C 7