THE SPORT IN CANTERBURY

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

THE SPORT IN CANTERBURY

FINE BREEDING DISTRICT ASHBURTON CLUB ADVANCES Situated in a province that has indisputable claims to being the home of the light harness sport, there is no reason to marvel at the great strides made by the various clubs of Canterbury. In the Dominion trotting world, Christchurch can be called the America of New Zealand, and the progress made in all departments reflects most creditably on those who initiated the great movement, and those who gave it both financial and practical support. BENEFIT OF CO-OPERATION The smaller clubs operating in that region could not fail to make good under the circumstances, and one of those which has made big strides is the Ashburton trotting % organisation. This club has been fortunate in having such an enthusiast connected with it as Mr. H. F. Nicoll, who is not only well known for his breeding and racing activities, but also for his splendid administrative ability as a member of New Zealand’s trotting parliament. The Ashburton Club holds three fixtures during the year, its season being opened with a Christmas carnival on Boxing Day, which is a great holiday attraction for Canterbury enthusiasts. The second fixture takes place in April, while the season concludes with a winter meeting in June. TEST FOR TWO-YEAR-OLDS This club holds the distinction of being the only one in the Dominion to cater for the two-year-olds, having in 1919 instituted the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, which is decided toward the end of the season, being run at the June fixture. The event has proved a big success and many a later champion has made its first salute to the judge in the Ashburton classic. Such high-class pacers as Doraldina, dam of the present three-year-old champion Daphne de Oro, Childe Pointer, Litona and Nantwich, all bred by Mr. H. F. Nicoll, Ahuriri and Kohara, New Zealand Cup winners, Taurekareka, Great Northern and New Zealand Derby winner, and the promising Enawah commenced their racing record with a win in this event. Other Ashburton fixtures entice classy horses, and the club enjoys an enviable popularity on the East Coast. MONDAY'S PROSPECTS Classy fields will face the starter on Monday and backers will have a tough problem to face in selecting the favourites. The following may be on deck: Neerson, Milo Min to, Nancy

McKinney, Midland, Colene Pointer, Kotuku Jack, Jean McElwyn, Okoura, Great Form, Theckla Boy, Epigram, Ariki, Peter Timmerman, Sarsaparilla, Kate Thorpe, Native Queen.