ATTRACTIVE CARD FOR WHANGAREI

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 195, 7 November 1927, Page 6

ATTRACTIVE CARD FOR WHANGAREI

OWNERS AND PATRONS WELL CATERED FOR BY NORTHLAND T.C. The light-harness sport cannot fail to make good progress in the Whangarei district while those in charge of the management of affairs continue to cater for owners and the general public in the capable manner evidenced by the programme arranged for the next fixture. THE NORTHLAND CLUB has been A- advancing with the trotting times and each year marks further progress being made in the district in connection with the popular sport. The club last year was ambitious and catered for the public in metropolitan style by including a “Free-i'or-All’ on its card. Unfortunately the field was small, and although it drew three of the best horses in the Dominion, Great Bingen. Prince Pointer and Imprint, the result as far as the club was concerned was not sufficiently satisfactory to encourage the big heat being reproduced. Nevertheless the card to be presented this year is an attractive one and sure to meet with a liberal response from owners and trainers. Previously the Northland Club raced early in January, but on this occasion the fixture will eventuate on December 10, just a week after the Waikato meeting. This procedure should prove satisfactory to all concerned. TWO-MILE ASPIRANTS The big event of the card, as usual, is the Cup, run over a twomile journey. The stake is valued at £ 300, inclusive of the handsome silver cup of 25 guineas which is presented to the fortunate owner of the winning horse. The limit is fixed at 4.42, which will suit quite a host of useful candidates which cannot find a place at fixtures where the classes are much tighter. Two-milers are also given another chance during the afternoon in the President’s Handicap, which is endowed to the extent of £250. While Cup entrants who "feel disposed to give away start can take part in this heat, many who will not undertake to throw away time to get into the big race will nominate in this heat, which has a 4.50 limit. It takes the place of the Free-for-All on last year’s card. SPRINT CANDIDATES Those who prefer the shorter journeys of eight to 10 furlongs are well provided for in the Kaikohe Handicap. £ 10 u. run over a mile course, and the Waipu Handicap, which is two furlongs

longer, and worth £ 125. The latter event has a 2.55 limit, equivalent to a 2.20 gait, and besides suiting a number of the sprinting element will appeal to the candidates in the big twomile hustle. The mile dash affords an opportumty for saddle experts to display thenprowess, and will prove one of the most popular items on the card. The limit is 2.24 and will give scope for the useful section to chase the stake. NOVICES AND LOCALS Middle distance events are the Dargaville Handicap and Counties Handicap, both valued at £IOO and run over a 12-furlong course. The former, last year, had no set limit, but the committee which framed the schedule on this occasion has deemed it advisable to make the end of the handicap 3.39, a 2.26 mile gait. It is a genuine maiden event, and only nonwinners can compete. The Counties Handicap has a local touch, and it is for county horses only. The limit in this event, which creates keen and interesting competition, has been reduced from 3.55 to 3.50, a step in the right direction. PURE GAITED HORSES Square-gaiters are as welcome at Whangarei as the flowers in Mav and two items have been specially set aside for their benefit. Those who find a mile and a-half far enough, have their chance in the Whangarei Handicap, of £IOO, the limit in which is now 3.48 instead of 3.50 as on the last programme. Trotters who are long-stayers have a stake of £l5O to step for in the twomile Kawakawa Handicap, with its five-minute limit. This is two seconds to the mile faster than the shorter trot, but both events should suit the requirements of a number of the unhoppled division. Nominations for this healthy bill of fare will close on Friday, November 11, with the club’.s secretary, Mr. F. W. Webster, or with Mr. A. G. Mabee, secretary to the Auckland Trotting Club.