Otahuhu Opportunities

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 257, 20 January 1928, Page 7

Otahuhu Opportunities

SUMMER CARD REVIEWED An Attractive Schedule NOMINATIONS DUE FEB. 3 AFTER the calm of the weeks which have passed since Christmas there will again be a stir in the local trotting world with the approach of the Otahuhu Club’s summer fixture which opens on February 18 and concludes on February 22. This will be followed by the Waikato meeting on Msech 3 and Thames on March 24.

ONE of the most popular light-har-ness fixtures in the North Island, and in fact with owners and trainers in the Souhtern Isle, is the Otahuhu summer carnival, which eventuates next month. It is at this meeting that the Otahuhu Trotting Cup is contested, and the event is one that is

annually looked forward to by a host of sportsmen in various parts of trie Dominion, while it often entices enthusiasts from across the Tasman to pay Auckland a visit at this period of the year. AN INTERESTING EVENT The Otahuhu Cup has been in vogue since 1900, being won by Roy ana, but till 1914 when Reuben landed the stake the event was known as the Otahuhu Trotting Club Handicap. Anyway the name did not matter as the heat was always the principal one on the card. Australian horses have been singularly successful in this event, Grand Voyage, Sheik, Delavan Quest, Orion and Machine Brick winning in succession, the run being broken last year by Sea Pearl. On one of the most attractive cards yet submitted by the progressive club, the Cup is again the chief feature, although it only eclipses the Dominion Handicap (on the second day) in stake importance by the addition of a good cup valued at 100 guineas.. Both races are richly endowed to the extent of £ 1,000, with place money totalling £350, the limit being set at the reasonable rate of 4.32 for the two miles, horses that have a 4.34 record being eligible for nomination. It is safe to say that the big heats this year will draw large and classy fields. SPEEDY SPRINTERS Speed merchants have not been neglected in the compilation of this snappy schedule, milers being treated to a saddle event valued at £350 (2-.17 limit) on the opening day, and a harness event on the concluding day of simlar monetary and time value. These

are known as the Railway and Sylvia Park Handicaps respectively. For those who like the popular tenfurlong flutters there is full and plenty, ranging from a 2.13 to 2.18 mile gait. The first day the Myers Handicap (£500) has a limit of 2.47 J, equal to 2.14 a mile, while on the last day of the session the Coates Handicap (£550) with a second tighter limit, and Farewell Handicap (£300) of 2.52 S (2.18 mile) limit will be submitted. SECONDARY DIVISION The secondary division has no cause for complaint with the Otahuhu programme, being catered for with events extending from ten to sixteen

furlongs. Over the latter distance the Papakura and Richmond Handicaps appeal, being endowed with £ 400 and £350 respectively, the limit being fixed at 4.38. On the first day the Tamaki Handicap of £3OO is an attractive item for improving pacers, being open to horses that have done 2.26 and not better than 2.18 to the mile. This heat has a limit at each end, as those with the slower record will be asked to step off a 2.21 peg. The distance is ten furlongs, while on the final day, the Newmarket Handicap (£300), which is run over two furlongs more, has similar conditions applied. PLUMS FOR TRUE GAITERS Trotters are on velvet with the Otahuhu schedule as three races on the opening day’s card are confined to those who carry on the good work untrammeled and unhindered by straps and buckles, w'hile two items are allotted this fraternity on the last day. Improving class trotters have the Trial Handicap (one and a-half miles) and Suburban Handicap (two miles), both valued at £3OO, to contend for. The former has a limit of 3.45 and the latter five minutes, but there is a restriction which precludes any trotter that has won at better than 2.25 to the mile from taking part. The higher class however are given two good items in the Presidents’ Handicap (£500) and Alexandra Handicap (£400), both of which are over a two-mile course. The latter, which takes place on the second day, has a 4.42 limit, while the limit in the larger stake is two seconds shorter. Then on the first day there is the Mount Albert Handicap for unlioppled horses,

trotters and pacers mixed. The stake is £3OO, the distance 16 furlongs, and the limit 4.48. GENERAL ENTRY DAY With such a feast of good things—the stake money totals £14,150 exclusive of the 100-guinea gold cup—there is bound to be a very liberal response from all parts of the Dominion when secretary "Absolum gathers in the entries on Friday, February 3. It will be as well for those interested to note that the time limit set by the genial secretary is five o’clock, when the “Last Post” will be sounded. There is no necessity to wait till the final day, and local enthusiasts would facilitate the work if they nominated in good time On Active Service A. Hill has made a start on the square-gaited marc Lady Ena, who looks in robust condition after her vacation. The daughter of First Voyage was not altogether a success last season, although she won a trotting heat at Wanganui, where she returned a solid price. Her persistent failures, how'ever, did not encourage her connections to support the mare and she gave them a real surprise. Hill is also handling a novice by Hal Zolock that has been running in the long acres for some considerable time. Will Require Time A likely sort seen out at Claudelands last month was a four-year-old mare by False Alarm from Wirihana. who figured on the race card as Lady Linda. The mare had shown encouraging form at the Waikato Show trotting exhibitions, and her owner- trainer, E. E. L. Collins, the well known Ngaruawahia sporting enthusiast, gave her a run at Hamilton to gain experience. She got it all right, as 6he was in a. field where the big majority went off the front, and there was a general mix-up. Lady Linda should find things more placid on Saturday. Time to Arrive Good thftigs were expected from Boston Chimes last season, but the son of Jewel Chimes and Mira failed to gain a first certificate, although he was placed on two occasions. At the South Wairarapa fixture of 1926 Boston Chimes finished second to Audubon Mac in the Trial Handicap, and at Hawke's Bay he secured third berth in the novice event behind Peter Grattan and Ngahuia. Although unplaced at Claudelands recently, the Jewel Chimes pacer looked susceptible to vast improvement, and his running on Saturday will be of interest to his supporters. TROTTING FIXTURES Forbury Park T.C.—Jan. 27, 28. Hawke’s Bay T.C.—Jan. 28. Nelson T.C.—Jan. 31, Feb 1 Takaka T.C.—Feb. 2. Cheviot T.C.—Feb. 4. N.Z. Metropolitan T.C.—Feb. 11 Otahuhu T.C.—Feb. 8. 22. Kaikoura T.C.—Feb. 25. Greymouth Jubilee—Feb. 25 limngahua Jubilee—Feb. 27. Marlborough T.C.—March 2. Invercargill T.C. —March 2, 3. Waikato T.C.—March J. Manawatu T.C.—March 7. Tiniaru T.C.—March 8. 10. Wyndham T.C. March 14 New Brighton T.C.— March 13, 17 _ Thames T.C.—March 24. Wellington T.C.—March 21. Wanganui T.C. —March 22*, 31. N.Z. Metropolitan T.C.—April 7. li Hawera T.C.—April 7. 9. Taranaki T.C. —April 14 Te Aroha T.C.—April 21.