AH "ALL STAR" PROGRAMME

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 32, 17 January 1929, Page 6

AH "ALL STAR" PROGRAMME

At a meeting hold on Saturday evening the stewards of the Wellington I'rotting Club drew up the programme for the, race meeting to be held on Saturday, 10th February. Following the progressive xmlicy adopted during recent seasons, the club has provided a rare treat for. tire followers of the trotting sport in this centre. The outstanding features of what might be termed an "all star" programme is a race for the ehaonpion pacers over a mile and £T half with the shortest limit ever set in Now Zealand for the distance viz- 3min. 19sec, and a two-mile race for'the champion trotters with a limit of 4inin 36sec. The pacers will also have a high-class mile and a quarter to compete for with', a limit of 2nrin 45sec and the trotters

will have a prior event in a Sniin 29see mile an-d a half."

The 3min 19sec pacers' race is fittingly named the Champion Handicap, .and carries a stake of £450. It should prove a very attractive race for owners as it will not only suit the Cup horses but should provide an extra event in the season's good races for the large number of high-class pacers that cannot quite see out a hard-run two miles. The 2tnin, 45sec mile and a quarter is named the Palmer Handicap and is provided with a stake of £300.

The principal race of the concluding meeting of the season has of late been named after the president of the club, and in . naming the fast trotters ' two miles the.Armstrong Handicap it is evident that the stewards look upon this as the principal race of the day. It has attached to it a stake of £450 and should provide a."wonderful T&ee, not only for owners and trainers but for^ the public to witness. There are at least a score of horses eligible to compete in a 4min 36sce two-mile event for trotters, so; that a good field should face the starter. The balance of the, programme< is the same as that to be decided :at the Cup Meeting on Saturday next. ..',■■'■ .

The all-round excellence of the programme and the rich stakes offered should meet, with a Veady response from owners.. The February 'Meeting is the last to be held by tfye Wellington Trotting Club under existing conditions, for as soon as the meeting is completed work will commence in moving arid remaking the tracks on up-to-date lines, building the new grandstand, enlarging the existing stand. and otherwise .bringing the' appointments up to a standard in keeping with the importance the Wellington fixtures are now assuming in the world of trotting.

, Shortly before 8 o *clock this morning two motor cars were racing along the Hiitt Boad at about 50 miles an hour. People stood and wa,tehed the mad. race until the cars had negotiated the ramp. It is a pity the speed constable was not handy.