Alexandra Park Opportunities

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 454, 8 September 1928, Page 7

Alexandra Park Opportunities

SPRING FIXTURE IN VIEW

0 W S l ri‘ , i! tn " ,aa with Patera eligible for the iuek\J land Club s sprint fixture w :n _ , . attention to the classy^ schedule drawn°iT turnm ° th . eir on Satiu’dav, October 13 (Derbv Dav| P Presentation October 17, ,hd ohould events close on September 28. entries ioi an

rpHE prize-money offered is on the A same liberal scale as that obtaining last October, the grand total for the two days reaching £ 8,000. The first day’s card includes two races valued at .61,000 each, the Spring Handicap and the popular classic, the Great Northern Derby. Altogether £4,300 is distributed in stakes on the opening day, while the final card accounts for £3,700. Generally speaking, there has been a tightening of the limits, and particularly is this noticeable in the arrangements made for the square-gaited fraternity. In the improving trotters’ class a reduction has been made from 3.4 s last yeat to 3.42, while for those of higher degree the 4.42 limit obtaining last October has been curtailed to 4.40. The two-mile pacers’ items are down from 4.39 to 4.37, and the 10-furlong

flutters which engage the attention of the speedier exponents set with a 2.50 limit in lieu of 2.511, while the topnotehers at the sprint distances are assessed in a 2.12 and 2.13 class respectively. The Eemuera Handicap, of £350, two miles, which figures on the second

Popular Square-Gaiters

onfv P™ gram me, was formerly open ereatpd , Unho , l ’ ple<l horses, and usually t t ‘onal attraction for the S element, although free-legged pacers also had a chance to get the The new schedule finds this e .Y ent dieted, its place being trl. o r^? d Pacing brigade who can I™ 1 *? the distance in 4.43 or better, and have no faster record than 4.37. The Chief Items .. Th ® chief handicap attractions are the Spring Handicap on the opening the Alex andra Handicap on the final day, each event being endowed to the extent of £ 1,000 which is well proportioned to encourage and reward place getters. While the successJjj}rS a “ dlda . te collects £ 650, the second, td jyd a ”d fourth contestants receive* a^ d £SO respectively. The "F 11 * 1S 4 -31, but horses with a record iv!r? 1 - 4 ' 33 are eligible to take part in the big fights. The class horse which will be drawn S at^, the - ril }f for these enticing prizes is also further catered for in shorter events, the October Handicap of one

mile (2.14), valued at £450, being staged the first day, while on the Wednesday the Campbell Handicap of £SOO is run over a further two furlongs, the limit being 2.465, a 2.13 gait.

Lesser Lights For those at present outside the higher circle plenty of recreation has been offered, with fine opportunities of securing some appreciable remuneration. Two-milers have the Stewards’ Handicap and Junction Handicap of £4OO, with a 4.37 limit, while in addition to the latter on the closing day is the Remuera Handicap, already alluded

to. Then those that prefer shorter journeys have a mile and a-quarter heat each day at their disposal, Electric and Insulation Handicaps, valued at £ 350, with a 2.50 limit, equivalent to 2.16 a mile. The Improvers’ Handicap on the opening day is run over 12 furlongs, and is endowed with £3OO. It requires pretty good improvers to get in this class, as those who have not recorded 2.20 to the mile need not apply for admission, and the front-liners will be assessed at 3.28 J (2.19 gait). On the second day a similar event, Newmarket Handicap, is carded. The Great Northern Derby is set for October 13, and at present 22 three-

year-olds stand their ground, and while this number will no doubt be reduced on the date of final payment, September 28, the field will be a large and thoroughly representative one. The cream of the South Island will be pitted against the North, while a colt from across the Tasman promises to add a whole heap of interest to the proceedings.

It has been said that the races for the improving trotters have not always

justified their existence on the local club’s programme, but both at the Chirstmas and winter fixtures these

events were extremely popular with the public and provided splendid sport. With the tightening of the cord to 3.42 in both the Waitemata and Green Lane trot, with which proceedings are opened on respective days, there should be fear of uninteresting contests; £3OO is the stake money allotted for these items. Budding Dominion Handicap and Rowe Cup trotters are provided with a £ 500 race each day, the Mountain Trot filling the bill on the

Saturday and the Hillsborough Trotting Handicap on the final day. The limit for these interesting events is 4.40, and like the rest of the sumptuous bill of fare is sure to draw a great response from owners. Such an attractive schedule must have its just reward in big entries, classy fields and thrilling contests.