NOT EXCEEDING SPEED LIMIT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 246, 7 January 1928, Page 9

NOT EXCEEDING SPEED LIMIT

NEW WEST COAST RECORD SLOW HORSES AMUSE SPECTATORS A new time record was established at the Hokitika trots on Tuesday that will surely take some beating. It was not a case of beating' the mile and a-half record the pacing mare Onyx, but according to reports from Coast papers the competitors were out to see who could win in the slowest time. That they did not exceed the speed limit is fully proved by the fact that the winner traversed the distance in 4.20. The event was a saddle race, 3.57 limit, and drew four starters. The Greymouth “Argus” says: “The track was not at its best, being uneven after the rain. This, however, did not account for one field taking 4.20, but the class was poor and the field small.” VOTARIES OF AVIATION Describing the race the same journal says: “This was the most amusing race of the day, as with the exception of the winner, Rothino, the competitors were votaries of aviation, although it was of the gyroscopic variety, as the time was one of the slowest recorded for a long time on a dry track. The

popular pick was a correct one, as Rothino led from end to end, after a slight break at the outset. Arran Lad, the back-marker, never seemed to get properly going, while in between him and the leader the other pair passed and repassed each other

several times as they left the ground. Whispering Boy looked likely' to finish second till near the end, when Rapahoe came with her best spurt in the race to get ahead by a small margin. Rothino won by over 15 lengths, while Arran Lad was a similar distance behind.” The passing and repassing stunt would be no doubt interesting, but judging from the time, the competitors must have gone up and down in the one place for a good while.