Auckland Trotting Club

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 236, 24 December 1927, Page 5

Auckland Trotting Club

ITS BIRTH AND DEVELOPMENT Progress Along Sound Lines ON the eve of the most important trotting fixture on the Auckland Club’s annual calendar, and one that promises to be the greatest from every point of view ever held in the province, it may not be amiss to take a peep into the history of the club and mark the progress that has been attained since its inception.

It is nearly 40 years since a small band of trotting advocates, encouraged by the support given the sport at picnics and other similar functions, decided to form a club in Auckland for the purpose of promoting the game and placing it on a solid basis. The central figure in the movement was the late Mr. C. F. Mark, who was appointed secretary at the inaugural meeting, when the Auckland Trotting Club became an established fact and continued in that capacity until his death a few months ago. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES The early days of the new sporting organisation were fraught with many

difficulties, but the few enthusiastic stalwarts were not to be easily discouraged, and, working on the basis of “unity is strength,” pulled together and gradually made headway.

The first official fixture was held in 1890 and the principal event on the card—Auckland Trotting Cup—was valued at £IOO. The great event, for such it was in those days, was won by a Taranaki-bred gelding named Commodore, which was previously known as Turpin, owned by S. Heeney and trained by Dinny Harford and young; Bob Hall (now a flourishing and successful trainer of gallopers and pacers at Papatoetoe). The winner was ridden by Harford, who although now well over three score years, still takes a keen interest in the sport and will no doubt be present* to see the cup run once more on Tuesday. • MARKING TIME The function was evidently successful, as the following year the stake was stake again increased a century each turn, but from subsequent results it is evident the management fell upon lean times, as in 1894 the purse was reduced to £230, this race being won by Ted Sandal with Tom Hicks. The succeeding year saw two alterations, the sthke being further reduced to £l2O and the distance arranged at two miles. Ten Sandal was again the successful owner-rider, winning with Old Judge in 5.31, a good go at that period. The pruning knife was used on the prize for a further three years, having reached its first mark of £IOO. In 1899 it was doubled and remained unaltered till 1912, when the club saw its way clear to increase the purse to £3OO. This saw the end of the mark-time policy and the club and the pastime began to advance along sound lines. £SOO was offered in 1913, when Jewel Chimes won, and the year following increased to £2OO. The-1891 winner, Brandy, was disqualified for not having correct performances, and the prize awarded to Rarus, the second 'horse. The two following years saw the Cup Tom Roe annexed the £650 wallet, Jim Lynch driving that great grey mare, Steel Bell, to victory, a feat he repeated three years later. FOUR-FIGURE PRIZES £I,OOO was the enticing prize in 1915>, when J. Bryce, who was just com-

mencing what destined to prove a remarkable career, scored with Cathedral Chimes. Three years later another rise was granted, of £350, and

the next year the card read £1.500, Bill Orange driving his mare, Nora Creina, to victory.

The club was now sailing along in the sea of success, and the executive became ambitious. The stake for the Cup was increased to £2,000, and in 1925 it was lifted to £2,200. This is the value of the big event at the present day, while a handsome gold cup valued at one hundred guineas accompanies the purse.

While the administrative powers of the progressive club were making such liberal advances in the prize money, it must not be thought they were dormant in other directions. The rendezvous of the sport, known in the earlier days as Potter’s Paddock, was gradually converted from practically a swamp to an ideal recreative reserve, and from time to time various improvements were effected and general appointments attended to until the club’s property became what it is today—one of the finest trotting areas in the Southern Hemisphere. UP-TO-DATE APPOINTMENTS The grass racing track, stable accommodation, lawns, stands and other accessories are laid out, formed and erected on most modern lines, but those in authority are determined to go further in the question of general improvements, and the installation of an electric totalisator, and additional stand for members, are claiming attention and will be established in time for the 1928 Christmas carnival. The training tracks are also to receive attention, and when these works have been carried out the club will possess a property that will be the envy of less fortunate organisations, and one that is a valuable asset to Auckland. ENERGETIC AND ABLE OFFICIALS As previously mentioned, the late Mr. C. F. Mark carried out the secretarial

duties for over 37 years, rendering/ yeoman service to the organisation and the sport, and it was unfortunate for the club to l6se him. But fortune

smiled on the progressive body and the executive was fortunate in securing as a successor to the late secretary Mr. A. G. Mabee, whose lengthy, able and honourable association with the trotting sport rendered him admirably fitted to fill the vacancy. In the important position of stipendiary steward, which he ably filled for 14 years, Mr. Mabee proved his value to the sport generally, and these qualifications, added to his tact and business acumen, will aid the club of which, as secretary, he is the pivot to'maintain its present high standing in Dominion trotting. Then there is the president, Mr. John Rowe, with his lengthy and greatly appreciated service to the cause not only in Auckland, but throughout New Zealand, where his ability as an administrator in the interest of the sport is well known. The members of the executive, too, are imbued with the spirit of progress, and while they continue in enterprising vein, and to conduct the business on sound lines as at present, the sport cannot fail to reach the highest pinnacle in the province.

While giving credit where it is due at this juncture, it is only right to be mindful of the band of pioneers who nearly four decades ago laid the foundation stone of the sport and the club in Auckland.