POPULAR PHASE OF THE SPORT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 387, 22 June 1928, Page 6

POPULAR PHASE OF THE SPORT

SQUARE TROTTERS RECEIVE THEIR JUST REWARD When the programme committee of the Auckland Trotting Club framed its schedule for the season just terminating , it catered well for the straight-out trotter , and, in tightening up the richly endowed Bo we Cup to 5f.36 , gave Neio Zealand a lead in the direction of tighter class events for the squaregaiters. fTMIE race was productive of a keen and spectacular contest and practically the cream of the Dominion’s true-gaited fraternity were seen in action at Alexandra Park. The excellent result obtained fully justified the progressive measure adopted by the Auckland Club gave other clubs a goo 4 lead in this direction, and the Wellington organisation framed an event for the unhoppled division on a 4.37 basis. Again success attended the venx ture and although the field on this occasion was not large in numbers it more than made up for any defect in this direction by the high standard of the competitors. With Auckland and Wellington showing such a bold front in the interests of the trotters, who have long been deserving of such recognition from the big clubs, it was

only natural to expect New Zealand’s premier trotting organisation, the Metropolitan Club, to make a similar move and it is indeed gratifying to note that the £I,OOO Dominion Handicap, which is decided at Addington during the November carnival, has been reduced to a 4.34 limit. This can be regarded as the commencement of a new era for the classy trotters of the Dominion, and the latest lead given by the Metropolitan Club is sure to be followed by other prominent trotting bodies. When the Auckland administration again deals with the schedule for the ensuing year it will be safe to predict that the Rowe Cup will at least be placed on the same footing as the Metropolitan Dominion Handicap. Canterbury Park, Forbury Park. New Brighton and Otahuhu Clubs will in all probability follow suit by affectingreasonable reductions in the chief square-gaited events on their respective programmes. which will be brought more iri line with those of the Metropolitan, Auckland and Wellington Clubs in the question of catering for this all-important department of the increasingly popular pastime. These improvements in the conditions governing this description of light-harness contests serve to prove conclusively that those controlling the sport generally have at last recognised the wonderful progress and development that has taken place in this particular section of the sport. As in other branches of equine sport where advancement has been made, breeding has played a prominent part and the importation of some of the best American trotting strains has had the effect of raising the standard of the sport to a high degree. The straight-out trotter has been gradually coming into its own, in recent years, but there was a tendency on the part of many clubs to give ail the plums to the pacing brigade and the crumbs to the square-gaiter. But the latter has long been a public favourite and as the standard of the trotter rose so did the popularity of the unhoppled heats increase. Of later years also trotters have proved themselves capable of beating their geared-up associates and this season has marked many successes for the square-gaited fraternity in mixed contests. Another prominent feature in connection with the progress made in this branch of the sport is the number of trotters who have reached dress-circle society within the last couple of seasons, a factor that makes the argument in support of tighter limits for the classy trotters all the stronger. Even with the 4.34 limit, 13 trotters are at present eligible for such a competition, while during the August carnival at Addington, providing the con-

ditions are favourable, others may be added to the list. Then such solid ones as Betty Moko, Judge Hancock and Engagement can take their place in this company, as they have been handicapped to do 4.34 or better. The following trotters have gone better than 4.34, either for a win or a place:— Escapade—4.27 1-5. Trampfast—4.2B 1-5. Peterwah-—4.30 2-5. Native Star —4.30 2-5. Peter Swift—4.3o 3-5. Elzear—4.3o 4-5. Young Blake—4.3l. Waikaha—4.3l 2-5. John Mauritius —4.31 2-5. Moneyspider—4.32 2-5. Napland—4.32 4-5. Sister Beatrice —4.33. Audominion—4.33 4-5.