CARNIVAL OF SPEED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 208, 22 November 1927, Page 8

CARNIVAL OF SPEED

Auckland’s Star Attractions INVITING CARD FOR CHRISTMAS Nominations Close on Friday THE light-harness season is now well under way in the Auckland Province, and the Otahuhu Spring fixture, now in progress, will be followed at short intervals by the Waikato and Northland Clubs’ functions. When these are out of hand, the big holiday carnival of the Auckland Club will loom on the horizon and create a great stir in trotting circles.

This is undoubtedly the finest fixture held in Jlie North Island, and ranks second only in the Dominion to the New Zealand Metropolitan Cup fixture. In fact this year the Auckland card, from a time standard at all events, is on equality with the Addington November carnival. It also compares very favourably in the direction of stake money. AN AMBITIOUS CARD When the programme committee of the progressive local club drew up the schedule for the 1927 Christmas carnival, a decision was arrived at to make it attractive, with a view to encouraging the best of the Dominion’s trotters and pacers to take part. The various events were tightened up to such an extent that Inhere is not another club outside the New Zealand metropolitan body that can boast of such real speed STAR ATTRACTIONS The principal attraction of the carnival will be the Auckland Cup, endowed with £2,200, to which is attached a 100-giMnea gold cup. This event is regulated to a 4.28 (New Zealand Cup) limit, but horses that have gone 4.31 or better are eligible for nomination. Needless to say such a race will attract all the speed kings of the highest circle, and Aucklanders will witness some great racing. Supporting the Cup, which is run on I the opening day, will be the Summer j Cup on the middle day, of £I,OOO, for: horses that have traversed two miles in 4.34 or quicker, with a limit of 4.32. and on the final day another test over a similar distance will be held, in the President’s Handicap. This is another thousand-pounder, and although the limit is 4.29, those with a 4.31 record can compete. SPEED—AND YET MORE SPEED Horses with pretentions to real class that can go quick over short journeys will have a picnic. On the first day there is the St. Heliers Handicap, £SOO, run over ten furlongs, with a 2.47 h limit, equal to a 2.14 gait. The Ranfurly Handicap on the second day is a similar heat in all respects, while another of the same interesting type in the Premier Handicap is scheduled for the final day. On this day also the Onslow Handicap, £SOO, will be decided over a mile course, and the limit cord is closely drawn, the hand reading 2.12. But even this fine speed guage is eclipsed in the Champion Handicap of the middle session. The prize is £7OO, the distance ten furlongs and the time limit A 2-11 mile gait. There has never been anything like this attempted before, but it is safe to say the results will be such as to warrant a continuation of the policy. GOOD FARE FOR FAIR HORSES Every day, too, the lesser lights are provided for, but in these instances, the second graders are of a high calibre. Two-mile contests, Grandstand Handicap, Dominion Handicap and Telegraph Handicap, will appeal to the multitude of those in the vicinity of a, 4.38 class, at which the limit has been fixed, and the stake

each time is £SOO. The Akarsna Handicap of £ 400 will suit those who can run ten furlongs at a 2.17 mile gait or better. Each day the usual improvers’ class of pacer is given a race, but unless the applicants have gone 2.20 or better to the mile they cannot take part. The stake allotted in these cases is £4OO, the December Handicap having a 3.27 limit (1* milesL equal to 2.1 S a mile; Tramway Handicap, 2.532 limit (1$ miles), a 2.19 gait, and Park Handicap, 3.28 t limit (1£ miles), also equivalent to 2.19 for the mile, the items' thus endowed. BIG MONEY FOR SQUARF. GAITERS Then comes the square-gaiters ami unhoppled events, which are numerous and divided into two sections, trotting horses and unhoppled horses. In the former department, first and foremost, comes the Rowe Cup, one of the greatest square-gaited contests m New Zealand. One thousand pounds is the handsome prize, to which is now added a fine cup valued at 50 guineas, the gift of Mr. R. Fisken, the Cisborne enthusiast. The limit is 4.36, so Auckland will see some trotting. Corresponding items are the Epsom Trot on the middle day, and the Association Trot on the concluding day. with a £6OO prize attached to each, and a limit of 4.38. Improving trotters are also well catered for, and the Introductory Trot, Oak Handicap and

Tamaki Handicap, will open the proceedings each day. These events unendowed with cash to the extent £4OO, run over 12 furlongs, witn 3.42 limit, equal to a 2.28 mile gaitPOPULAR EVENTS Last but by no means least. the heats for unhoppled horses, are open to pacers who can without the straps, and straigjjt-o trotters. One event a day is —JJLto this fraternity and popular I te they w-ill be. Five hundred is to divided among the place-getter* each occasion, while the limit is at 4.46. _ When has anything so ambitious, inviting or so stirring, been presen before in this province? It T sign of the times, the demand speed and with such a schedule pace will be on all the time. Entries for all events coloured this remarkable card close witn tary Mabee on Friday next, Novem * 25, at 5 p.m. sharp. At the time the first forfeit for the 19-" ~*« t ,. Northern Derby will fall due. ' . , such a wealth of good things the ■ - should receive record nomination* the big carnival.