ROTORUA TROTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 510, 19 April 1933, Page 6

ROTORUA TROTS

PROGRAMME ISSUED ATTiRlACTIVE EVENTS FOR MEETING ON MAY 20 ; SIX RACES PLANNED (Notes by "Misere.") To-day, the Rotorua Trotting Club issiies its programme for the first annual trotting meeting of the club which is set down for May 20 and the programme committee, with the asdistance of the handicapper, Mr. C. E. Goosman, of Hamilton, _ has drawn up a very attractive list of races. They are six in number and cater for praetically every type of horse likely to patronise the meeting. In keeping with the modem trend in trotting all are*. for harness horses and though perhaps an op>en saddle event might have been interesting, it was thought that the six races for a non-tote meeting would be sufficient as a commencement. A rather happy sugge^ion has be(sn made that a further race for saddle horses open to all residents in the counties of Rotorua, East Taupo, Whakatane, Tauranga, Opotiki, Matamata, Piako and Ohfnemuri would provide some interesting racing. This would _ allo\» of anyone who has a horse which he thinks might be able to trot, entering it in the race and with a nolimit field all starting off scratch, the event would undoubtedly prove mosi entertaining to the public as well as providing a chance for the tiy-oui of potential trotters and pacers. However, that is a matter for the committee if there should be time avail■nhlo for an additional event.

The first race is one of the type which usually opens programmes, a heat for unhoppled trotters, run^ over the twelve furlongs distance with a limit of 3.51, equivalent to a 2.33 gait for the mile. This is open enough' to ^ allow for almost any novice qualifying. This should attract a good entry, especially f;om the Bay of Plenty area where there are quite a few novice (trotters in existence. The ■stake (£20) is a useful sum these hard times and the driver of the win- \ ner is to receive a whip presented by 'Mr. T. R. Byrne. The next is one for novice pacers and much the same conditions obtain as in the previous race for the squareg.aiters. The class is 3.6 which is equivalent to a trifle under 2.29 to 'the mile and this should be a most ■suitable race for trainers with promising novices to test their metal. The distance is ten furlongs and the stake £20. The entry list in this should be good for it will be remembered that in no case, if there is no tote at the meeting, will any horse be penalised for winning _ and iraproving 011 his liandicap. It is a glon- • ous opportunity for a p'romisipg pacer. . Then comes the Thermal Springs Cup„ a handicap event of two miles and catering for the 4.49 class of horse. This equals the 2.241 class of horse which means that not only pacers but trotters also have good chance of collecting the- stake. The stake is the excellent one of £40 which does not include a handsome canteenl of cutlery presented by that enthusiast of trotting Mr. Herbert Burch. It is a generous tribute from a president of a sister club for Mi. Burch is president of the Waikato Trotting Club. Further, Mr. T. Jackson Mayor of Rotorua, is donatmg a trophy valued at £2 2s to the driver of the winner. The stake and added gifts rank this cup handicap with many larger and older institutions, and owners and trainers will probably enter freely. The second race for unhoppled trotters is run over two miles and this also carries a trophy valued at £5 donated by Mr. Hugh. Galbraith, of Waiotapu, himself an ardent supporter of trotters. The class is the wide open one of 5.6 and it should be most suitable for ^owners of trotters with staying power. Horses which are eligible for the previous trotting race are also enabled to compete in this event and again it is as well to remember that no penalties will be imposed on winners for subsequem totalisator meetings.^ The Pukeroa Handicap is a mile anc a half race for pacers who can d( 3.45 or better and this caters for thc improving pacer. There are many o these in the distriet and the entr: should be a good one. Stakes amoun to £20 and it is possible that this wil be supplemented by a further dona tion. Horses which have started an: improved on their times in any o the earlier races are eligible to nom inate for this also. The last race on the programme i. the Whakarewarewa Handiqap, thc tight-class sprint of ten furlongs witl a 2.57 limit. Horses which have rur in the Cup are likely to go for the double in this event and other pacers which have qualified in ea.lier heats can also take their place in the field. This should wind up a really interesting programme and the public, especially those who have not seen trotting races, should have had a gooc" day. 1 . . To help owners and trainers m every way is the ambition of th

club and free stabling is being provided for yisiting horses. Nonfinations close with the secretary, Mr. E. La Trobe Hill on May 9 the day after the second day's trotting at Cambridge and handicaps will be declared by Mr. C. E. Goosman about three days* later. Aceeptances close on May 16. Taken all round it is a nicely balanced and attractive programme and if the public support the meeting as well as they should do, Rotorua will have yet ahother attraction for visitors as well as residents.