THE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 974, 5 November 1908, Page 5

THE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

COMMENCES ON SATURDAY. SOME GRAND SPORT PROMISED. On Saturday next the flags will be flying at Ellerslie for the opening day of the season. Of course the Cup meeting of the C.J.C. is a very strong counter attraction, and a few of our best horses have gone South to race. Nevertheless, as the defections from the local ranks have been much more than made up for by the arrival of visiting horses, • it would seem that there is no danger of the fields being small, while the presence of the Southern contingent will have the effect of lending additional interest to the meeting. The gathering is always a very enjoyable one, and if the weather prove fine, of which there seems a very considerable likelihood for the barometer is steadily rising, there is sure to be a good attendance. To enable would-be patrons to reach the course a special service of trains will be run commencing at 10.30 a.m. Also the Electric Tramway Company will place a large number of extra cars on the Remuera route which is within a few minutes of the course. The race track and enclosures are in very fine order just now, the flowers being quite a feature. Secretaiy J. F Hartland may he depended upon to have all arrangements for the meeting on the most up-to-date . lines, and the portents auger for a big success. The most attractive features on the opening day will be the Great Noi them Guineas, the Welcome Stakes, and the City Handicap, representing three entirely different classes of race. In the Guineas, which is inn over a distance of one mile, the following have been left in. Mr. Lance Wood’s b f Ukraine, by Stepnlak —Madder Mr. W. Handley’s br c Aimwell, by Sou’t —Gladys May * Mr. John Lynch’s b c Coromandel, by Mensch ikoff —Golden Rose Mr. E. J. Watt’s br g Aborigine, by Meir'wee —Indian Queen Mr. F. Marshall’s ch c, ov Leoianiis I3pco.frtion , Trustees of Mrs. Coombs s br <- Master Soult. by Soult—Lady. Hester Mr. C. Matthews’ br c Shuja, by Soult Sprite

IVf' F. W. Arnold’s b g Rarata, by F.to’i Peao Mrs. J. Lennard’s blk c Santa Rosa, by

by Soult—Vieux Rose Mrs. J. Lennard’s blk c Waimangu, by Soult—Roxana Mr. J. Ell : s’ b c Beneform, by Multiform —St. Ouida Mr. J. Ellis’ blk c My Lawyer, by Black-

s’- onc - - Emmeline Mr. D. McKinnon’s b g Rimlock, by Flintlock—Hesper.

The best of the Aucklanders would probably have been Master Soult, but he will not be a starter, as he is engaged at Riccarton. Auckland will thus have a rather poor lot to oppose to Aborigine and Co., but a good race may result nevertheless. It is expected there will be about eight runners. For the Welcome Stakes the acceptances are as follows: —

First Wairiki, by Wairiki —Leo Delaval Hyperion, by Soult—Thea Maori King, by Merriwee—lndian Queen St. Amans, by Soult—Lottie

Excalibur, by Eton—Tournament Monsieur Soult, by Soult—Lady Emme-

line Elegance, by Seaton Delaval—Antelope Kakama. by Soult—Winsome Salute, by Soult —Lady Musket Tetrazzini, by Soult —Miss Annie This is a dash over five furlongs for two-year-olds. It is ’ a race that would have been a pretty good thing for Elysian had he remained in Auckland instead of throwing down the gauntlet to the Southern brigade at Riccarton. His absence will have the effect of making the race more interesting, for they seem to be a very even lot engaged. Fourteen remain in the City Handicap, which looks like providing a particularly fine struggle, the winner being well concealed. All the other races have good acceptances (the list will be found in another column), so that those who visit Ellerslie should witness some exciting racing. The first event is timed to commence at noon. The meeting will be continued on Monday and Wednesday.