AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1359, 11 May 1916, Page 9

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

THE GREAT NORTHERN HANDICAPS. The weights for the Great Northern Steeplechase, Great Northern Hurdles and Cornwall Handicap came to hand on Monday. The weights for the jumping races have been framed on a light scale. Very few of the minimum weight division and those on the same side of the handicaps have a chance. The few that have hold all the others safe, and on the top side ot the 1 st there are plenty that would want a good deal more weight to I ling them back to the bottom weighted. Ibis is the first impression a careful study of the allotments must convey to many. As for the Cornwall Handicap, the best two at the top and the moderates at the bottom are not sufficiently divided, though want of middle is the feature that will strike some. In the Autumn Handicap at Manawatu, over the same distance, Multiply, Adjutant and El GaPo were all bunched together at the finish at equal weights, or, tc be correct, Multiply and El Gallo had 8.8 and Adjutant 8.7. They were just behind the piaced horses. El Gallo, who has one indifferent performance since, in which Multiply gave him 101 b., has got off well in receiving 251 b. from that gelding and 101 b. from Adjutant, and he is one with a great chance. Haskayne has 111 b. less than he had last year and is well enough treated through most of those engaged, but as both are in the hurdles, in which there is only 11b. between them as against 101 b. in the fiat race, it will be interesting to note what their owners intend doing with them. Hygia may he the representative of the Karamu stable, ai d Castalia of Mr. Hall’s pair. Battle Eve has occasionally raced well at the end of short races, and he may prove the better of Sir George Clifford’s pair. Fisher is an improving ex-1: ack. Domino may not come back, but he is well enough treated for cm who once did so well. With the jumping races we are most concerned just now. Black Northern on a left-handed course would have friends. Merrimax would need to be a much improved horse on New Zealand form to have a chance, but possibly is. Naupata appeals to us more, ant! is a good one. Spalfish will not stay out the distance. El Gallo raced four times over the hurdles last year, and in that way was got fit before he won the same race.

He has not been given a jumper’s preparation this autumn, which is somewhat against him. but has undoubtedly been again given a good chance so far as the weight is concerned. Tragedy King has been doing some schooling and is a good one when himself, it is a matter of standing the work with him. Harbour Eight is coming on, but in his only race over obstacles since last jumping season fell at the first fence. He, Naupata and Taraiu Jack seem in their right places. The last-named pair may prove the better stayers over two miles and a-half. Marton may not be got back to form, but no liberty has been taken with him. Te Onga is one that is well and the distance will suit him, but the poundage is enough. He is not so brilliant a performer as Hurakia, who won the C.J.C. N.Z. Grand National Hurdle Race last year, and at the same weight is not to be preferred. Spalperion and Tenacious have handy imposts, and the last-named is the better stayer of the pair. Styrax at his best would be entitled to respect, because he stays and has pace. Flingot is getting on in years and the distance may find him out. Vascular, of whom better things were expected than he showed when here last month, has a bandy weight, and Gladful, cn the same mark, has recent winning form to his credit. Crispeen has got his full share for his Easter win. Hopye has come down in the estimation of the handicapper and of most people through a few faulty displays. Vladian stays, but is perhaps a little wanting in class. The same applies to Laverna. Pursefiller may be useful at the business later cn under a similar impost. Waipunoa at one time promised well, but below him Queen’s Post has an undoubted chance, and Lord Nelson is one with possibilities and recent form. Perhaps New York may this season prove good, while Center ary is cue in at the minimum who, with two at least of the three above him should hold the eleven below quite safe, and perhaps put up a good fight with the best of those above. There are contingencies in considering the prospects of the Great Northern Steeplechase candidates. Fifteen are in the Great Northern Hurdles. Of that lot, which readers can sort out for themselves, and trained specially, we u ould take Naupata, El Gallo, T? Onga and Hurakia. We would not have El Gallo, however, to win again under training conditions

that he had last vear, when only his light weight and a mishap to a wellschooled one in Morecambe gave him the race. There may be no Morecambe engaged this year, but with the weights altered and horses, some of them seasoned and of better class than Golden Glow, who was a long way back third last year, a greater task is presented. If well schooled, horses like El Gallo and Naupata especially would have nothing to fear from horses of the class of Captain Jack, Glenmore, Ngatoa and the now well-taken-care-of Tarero, whose seasoned condition is his chief asset just now. With Bercola and Okiahau it becomes a question as to whether they can be got back to form. Gojborne may run a good race, and perhaps Braeburn and Lady Sabretache, but the distance is quite far enough for the last-named. Idealism has had a good rest, and a gelding with his pace and jumping ability may run well. Bonny Jean’s class is open to question. Ranga Mist has possibilities, and there may be a good race concealed in the young gelding Golden March. Captain Mackay is a rare fencer who we would prefer for a shorter race, though he may stay better now that he has age. We can return again to the subject. Meanwhile the Wanganui weights will appear, and owners’ intentions may be better gauged.