AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING.

Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 32, 25 April 1903, Page 15

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING.

AVONDALE has the honour of opening the Auckland racing ; and though it does not also close the local meetings, the club's second fixture comes close up to the tail of the racing season. The Avondale of. to-day is as unlike the Avondale of the past as our metropolitan meetings are now unlike the semimilitary hunt meetings of the early days. No longer the half-formed track with ill-defined boundaries, and a cluster of mildewy and leaky weather-beaten structures doing service as stands ana" offices ; but instead an up -to - date race - track with up-to-date conveniences, and on a scale larger than on the igreat ma;ority of colonial suburban racegrounds. It is now a pleasure to- go a-racing at Avondale, and the more recent meetings of the club have furnished proof of an increase of patronage on the part of the racing public that has given confidence to the management ami has rewarded the club for their sturdy endeavours to place racing on a good footing in the once neglected suburb. * * * The Autumn fixture of the club takes place on Saturday, 25th inst., and the following Wednesday. Judging from the full entries in most of the events, the good class of many of the competitors, and the interest showji in the meeting by the patrons of the turf, the club need feel no apprehension as to their success, if only the weather be fine. At this time of the year it is not easy to forecast meteorologic conditions, but it is to be hoped, for the sake of the club and their patrons, that they will be favoured with fine racing weather. • * * Saturday's events appear fairly open, and I hazard the following selections in the hope that they may prove serviceable to my readers : — Maiden Plate — Green and Gold, Bastion or Muskerdale. First Hack Handicap— Lavadel or Pukaki. Juvenile Handicap — Delania or Alba Rose. Avondale Handicap — Landlock Jewellery Northumberland Hurdles— Lingard or Sudden. - First Pony Handicap— Vulpine or Miami. Railway Handicap— Paul Seaton, St. Olga, Scotty. Sonica is said to be bound for South Africa.