AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 55

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By Digger Little work has so far been recorded in coneetion with the Great Northerns, but the Te Kuiti meeting was expected to clear the position considerably. Beau Cavalier has been getting a lot of work on the hills, and it was expected that he might stand another preparation. His first school, however, found him out, and after a great display of fencing, he was found to have broken down badly last Wednesday. It is unlikely that this once good horse will ever race again. Corinthia and Inevitable were the first visitors to reach Ellerslie, and both look well. Carinthia -was tried over the steeplechase fences on Thursday, but after scrambling over the sod wall be baulked at the double and was not persevered with. It is possible that his attention may now be directed solely at the hurdles. Among the maiden hurdlers at Ellerslie, the one that shows most promise is Patutahi. He has the benefit of plenty of flat racing and regular schooling to fit him for action under trying conditions, and he is expected to show up in coming contests. Although a proved non-stayer. Prince Lu is such a fast horse and brilliant jumper that he should be a formidable steeplechaser over the shorter distances. He may now be raced seriously over country, and he should do ■well in short races of the kind. While schooling on Thursday, Mangu King cannoned into Importer at the double, with the result that the latter, a very unlucky horse, cut an artery above the foot. The trouble is not expected to be very serious. No hack at Ellerslie is galloping better than C'atoma, who is revelling in the soft conditions. This horse has been given a great chance to mature, and the patient policy should soon bear fruit.

The Matamata hack Vulcan has run some fine races this season, and has a victory over Ring March to his credit at Te Aroha. He seems admirably built for winter racing, and he should be worth watching in coming events. Since winning at Avondale, Lucess has not been seen in public, but it is understood that he is training on well. This fellow is a great jumper that looks like being one of the hardest to beat in both Great Northerns, and he is an ideal type for steeplechasing. Since his accession to the open ranks Puriri Park, hag continued to work pleasingly. He is working ae well as any of the sprinters at Ellerslie, and if he can handle bad ground, which it is thought he will, there is further stake money awaiting his owner. H. Rama has Taneriri and Manawhenua both working in fine style. He may rely on the former in the Cornwall Handicap, but that is not definitely decided. However, both horses are fit and are sure to race prominently throughout the Great Northern meeting. That good mare, Eaglet, is now right at her top, and she is regarded as a Cornwall prospect. However, although she has won in soft ground, she may find the really heavy conditions a big hindrance at Ellerslie in June. There are few fitter horses about than Havering, and judging from a recent effort in training over nine furlongs, he will successfully traverse a mile and aquarter. He is a real mudlark, and since the rain came he has been working as if it were a joy to him. That good horse, In the Shade, broke down hopelessly, and it was deemed necessary to destroy him. Purchased in Australia by J. T. Jamieson, and later transferred to Mr W. S. Glenn, he proved a good speculation for both. That good hack Jaeldy Karo is in the pink of condition at Avondale, and he is expected to race well at Ellerslie. He has not yet shown in public what he is really capable of doing, and he looks a y <?P en horse for next season. . High Pitch is not bred to stay on his sire s side, but he proved equal to winning over middle distances on the flat, and may possibly get the Great Northern distance. However, if he should fail in this he looks certain to win good hurdle races, as he has fine speed, and is a rapidly improving fencer. One of the most dashing hurdlers in the north is Luminary. He has speed and good jumping ability, and although the Great Northern may be beyond him he should do well during the winter. Dark Prince hag already shown promise as a steeplechaser, and his latest schooling has been very satisfactory. He is now q well-conditioned horse, and one that is likely to be heard of in minor steeplechases.