AUCKLAND RAGING NOTES. (by martingale)

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1372, 16 April 1881, Page 2

AUCKLAND RAGING NOTES. (by martingale)

Thb forthcoming races are just beginning !to attract attention, and a visit to i Ellerslie between 6 and 7 a.m., is enjoyable these fine cool mornings. There are a good number of horses in training, many of them I am Bure not worth the oats they eat, that is as racehorses, however, I suppose their owners like it, so we the general public should not object. Foul Play is in grand form and gallops very strong, he is right into the Easter Handicap, notwithstanding, his having to carry 9st. 51bs., and if he goes for it, whatever is in front of him wins the race. There is a tip for your readers, I hope they will profit by it. King Quail is, and looks so very fine, it will be hard to get him quite fit I think by the day. »Smith's horses Maid of Honour and Tim Whiffler ] look well and go well, and bar accidents I will both run well for their engagements. ! Mi3s Domett gallops strongly, put as she has never ran straight yet she is not to be trusted, Woolbroker roars like a good-un, a great pity as he is a fine colt, and strong, Paramena is also in fine fettle. He never was better, and is a much-imp-roved horse. Lone Hand never looked better, and will have a great show for the ! Steeplechase, if meant to win. I hear of a new jockey just,from home and of Grand ! National fame, who is likely to steer him this trip. Whakahihi may be able to jump but he certainiy cannot gallop, Morning Star, a candidate for jumping honours, gallops strongly, but seems rather lusty.- However, he will, I think, have something to say at the finish of the hurdles. Matau, who goes splendidly for two miles, was made a hot favourite for the Handicap, and the public put their money down so freely that it is currently reported that he ia "stiffened" for that event, and I believe it. As he jumps well, he will probably go for the Steeplechase. Lone Hand is also '• stiff' for the Steeple } in fact, with these bookmakers' horses, it is quite impossible to say what they intend to do, as everything depends on how the money foes. The result of this is that Foul 'lay and Sportsman are favourites in the double, it being well-known that their owners will run straight for the money. With Lone Hand as good as dead, Rutherford's veteran should have a great show, as he knows the course so well ; and, bar Matau and Morning Star, I do not think any of the others will ever live to go round the course, unless Rawenata is better than is thought. For the other handicaps, it is hard to say, as it is not yet known what will accept. At present, for the Easter Handicap, I fancy Foul Play, Sir George, King Quail, Tim Whiffler and Dan, in the order named. For the Steeplechase, Sportsman, Matau, and Rawenata also in the order named. For the Handicap Hurdles, Lone Hand, Matau, and Morning Star, in the order named, look best on paper, and they are . all going well ; but the acceptances not being in, I cannot say whether they will j all be starters or not. The only two-year- i olds about are the Slander filly (Walters'), and Tinambra — by the Marquis, Lady Manners-Sutton, belonging to Major George. The latter ia a very speedy young lady, and will take a lot of beating for the short spurts, and she is in good condition. She looks well for the Ellerslie Handicap, and, as she is bound to go straight, will most likely be a favourite on the day. The course is as hard as bricks, and a little rain would be most acceptable, but there seems little prospect of it.

"What does Candillac say about brutes ' in the scale of being an imperfect animal." ' Instructor: "And what is a man?" | Student: "Man is a perfect brute. I Povkbit, glike riohes, has its redeeming points. , Indeed, it is altogether a oomforting sight to mark the look of balm serenity • which passes over the face of Poverty while reading about a big honk failure. - « , , " Ypjur 4 % udgw hata you to deatti'iiaid a irie^di to,! §50$*^ hits not natufe.pa^aed the same sentence on them f;" .qaiefcly ■responded the sage 1 old pbilowpnirV'^ ,'*■",'