AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 298, 24 December 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

ATHLETIC CHAMPION. J (Special to Times.) Auckland, last night. Simpson, the New Zealander who beat the Queensland, Victoria, and New South ■Wales men in the three-mile run on Saturday, received one of the greatest ovations ever given in Auckland. Cheer after cheer went up for the New Zealand boy when he defeated the Australians lap after lap. Blake, the Australian who came second to Simpson, being asked his opinion of the race, stated it was like chasing a greyhound or a motor car. Simpson won by 300 yards. AUCKLAND RACES. This morning Tauliei, carrying the least weight, beat Materoa over seven furlongs in 1.28 on tho plough, tho last-named seemingly being unable to act like sho lias been doing on the grass during the past week. The town is crowded with visitors, and interest in an Auckland Cup has seldom been greater than in the approaching one. Mr, Mrs, and Miss Stead arrived from Christchurch yesterday for the races. The following are probable starters and riders in the Auckland Cup :— Bluejacket, Lindsay ; Battleaxc, Buchanan ; Beddington, Gallagher ; Coronet, Julian ; Nonette, Ryan ; Ideal, Davis ; St Ursula, Chaafe, jun.; St. Michael, Hewitt; Djin-Djin, Pino.

The Gisborne rider Buchanan will not ride Beddingtou, as the majority of Auckland sportsmen first anticipated. Joe Sceats, of Gisborne, has been deprived of his mount on Formula, owing to the horse being scratched. Sceats will bo remembered as steering Blue Jacket to victory in the last two Auckland Cups. Sceats cannot ride Blue Jacket this time, owing to the dead weight to be carried. The winner of the Cup is well concealed, several of tkoso engaged being well in. I should have preferred to have deferred picking the winner until after witnessing tho final performances in the early hours of to-morrow morning. There being no publication of the Times on Wednesday morning, I have to come to a decision this evening. Bluejacket, Beddingtou, St. Michael, Ideal, and Nonette are tho five competitors that 1 have tho most regard for. To make a final selection, I shall place thorn in the following order: Nonette 1 Bluejacket 2 Ideal ... ... ... 0 Tho other events should result as follows

Railway Handicap : Cruciform 1, Rosella 2, Zealous 3. Trial Handicap : Tauhei 1, Reclaimer 2, Hesper 3. Hurdles : Regalia 11. 1, Rufus 2, Royal Conqueror 3. Nursery Handicap; Kelburn 1, Mary Seaton 2, Spalpeen 3. Christinas Handicap: Yal Rosa 1, Lietitia 2, Materoa 3. Pony Cup: Lady Avon 1, Stepaway 2.