"NOT WARRANTED"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 171, 22 July 1942, Page 7

"NOT WARRANTED"

Trotting Cut Criticised By Mr. Bridgens AUCKLAND CLUB'S YEAR A strong appeal for more equitable treatment of those actively associated with the sport of trotting was the keynote of the address of Mr. E. G. Bridgens, president of the Auckland Trotting Club, at the annual meeting of members this afternoon. "Although I agree that mid-week racing snould be eliminated for the duration of the war, I consider a 50 per cent cut in trotting was not warranted," said Mr. Bridgens. I believe had the War Cabinet realised the pre-war disadvantage at which trotting was placed in regard to permits, the 50 per cent cut would not have taken place. Surely people In New Zealand depending on trotting for a livelihood. also owners and supporters, are entitled to one day's trotting per week instead of 40 per annum, which wa are now allotted? "Personally I consider that trotting detracts from the war effort in no greater degree than the picture theatre; not that I suggest that picture theatre enthusiasts should be deprived of their recreation; but I do consider that trotting supporters are equally entitled to their share. "A serious anomaly which exists in regard to trotting in the Auckland province is the distribution of holiday dates," continued Mr. Bridgens. "Your committee are mindful of this fact, and intend to make an approach to correct this anomaly when the opportune time arrives." Sound Financial Position Referring to the financial i>csition of the Auckland Club, .Mr. Bridgens said the balance sheet revealed that the club had had a most successful year, in spite of the fact that through the curtailment of trotting there were only eight days' racing instead of eleven, which meant a loss in taxation to the Government of at least £15,000; to owners and trainers, £7000. Although the debentures remained the same as last year, the committee had given consideration to the possibility of redeeming a further amount, but owing to the present unsettled conditions, it had been decided to consolidate the cash position. In concluding. Mr. Bridgens said: "I do not think I am being over-optimistic when I say that, had things remained normal, the Auckland Trotting Club would have been free of debt in 1943." TO OPPOSE PACERS Jimmy Drusus, which has been accepted for in the Churchill Handicap, is a solid trotter, but he will be meeting a useful field of pacers this time. Should the track be heavy Jimmy Drusus mayhave good prospects, because trotters, under such conditions, invariablv stay better than paters. It is in his "favour tnat he is well forward in condition—a fact made clear by his performance at Addington last Saturday, when he finished second to that good trotter, Royal Worthy. CONSISTENT ROBIE Without recording anything outstanding, Robie has been a very consistent performer among the trainers in Auckland this season. The son of Robert Earl was three times a winner and in a minor place on eight occasions. Such consistency entitles him to consideration in the Roosevelt Handicap, in which he is on 48yds. HIGH PI-AY'S PROSPECTS The Peter Bingen—Her Ladyship gelding High Play Is nicely placed on the front of the Victory Handicap. He has not done a great deal of racing, but lias shown that he is a pacer likely to reach good company. On the coast circuit in the autumn he won two races, and if his condition is right this week-end he should he prominent again. A SMART BEGINNER One of the smartest beginners from the barrier in his class is the Dan Direct gelding, Moko Direct, and though on 12 yards in the Mercantile Marine Handicap. S. August's charge has only to leave the mark correctly to hit the front early, and once in the lead, he takes heading off over a journey of a mile and a quarter. He looks well, and in the matter of condition will be more forward than some of his opponents.

A PROMISING PACER The five-year-old Charles Rex has faced the starter on only two occasions this season, which he opened with a win. He then impressed as a horse likely to make the grade, and though he has r.ot raced for some months, his effort in the Army Handicap will be noted. He is by Great Parrish out of Great Eyre, and on the score of breeding is well served. AT THE TROTTING GAIT Lucky Love, which has not raced for over 12 months, is the latest convert to the trotting gait. The Nelson Tasker gelding has hitherto done all his racing as a pacer and. though showing speed, has never been regarded as a good stayer. He raced but twice last season, and has not been overtaxed. In the Navy Handicap he is set to concede up to 108 yds to 1 his opponents in a mile and a half, so is to be well tested at his first appearance as a trotter. SSI ART TWO-YEAR-OLD One of the short-priced propositions on Saturday will be the .Jack Potts filly Hilda Totts in the Air Force Handicap. It will be remembered that she was pacing along at her leisure in front in the Great Northern Trotting Stakes, when a flock of seagulls rose from the track just in front of her and the filly shied to the outside of the course. She turned completely round, and by the time she had settled down again she had lost the best part of a furlong. She then paced brilliantly to finish fourth, about four lengths behind the winner. Her outstanding effort that day will not be passed over lightly by backers. Although ranking as a two-year-old, Hilda Potts will be three years next month. IN L. P, VERNALL'S TEAM The somewhat disappointing Belfast Jark, which has been In M. Stewart's stable at Te Rapa, has had a change of quarters, and is now being prepared by L. F. Vemall at Frankton. The son of Jack Potts was third in his first start this season, but failed to finish in the money in three subsequent starts. He is on the front of the Churchill Handicap, in which the field is not a particularly strong one. A NICE PACER Despite her unattractive record this season—once third in seven starts—Princess Linnett is a nice pacer which, early in her career, gave promise of making the grade into the best company in Auckland. She is now in F. J. Smith's stable at Takanini, and is to contest the Churchill Handicap. Her dam, Linneit the Great, was a trotter, and was brought to the Dominion by Smith when he came to this country from England some years ago. WON LAST START Providing his condition is right, the Man-o'-War gelding Dunkirk will have to be considered in the Army Handicap, a 3.1 class mile and a quarter, in which he is on the limit. At his last start at Epsom in April he won the second division of the Howick Handicap, stepping the ten furlongs in 2.51 4-5. Karnak. winner of the first division, stepped 2.52 3-5. Both w ere then handicapped on the limit, but on Saturday Karnak has to concede Dunkirk, 12yds, the result of Karnak subsequently running second to Captain Morant in the Sapling Stakes. TRITE GUIDE WELL PLACED Seeing that he was only beaten a neck by Cavalryman in the Richmond Handicap at Epsom in April, True Guide appears to be nicely placed in the Churchill Handicap. In the Richmond Handicap True Guide conceded Cavalryman 12yds, but on Saturday Cavalryman has to give True Guide 24yds, a difference in True Guide s favour of 36yds. However, the son of Truman Direct may not be ready to run out a solid two miles at present. A BRILLIANT GALLOPER Don't Forget, after a few weeks of exercise on the roads, has resumed galloping at Riccarton, and he is putting great dash into- his short sprints. He is as brilliant as ever, and C. Emerson should have him ready to show good form in early spring races. OWNERS' REMINDERS Friday: Nominations, Tbum Jockey Club. WINTER CtJP CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. Noble Fox and Whackie were withdrawn from the Winter Cup at 5.10 p.m. yesterday.