Speed Required For Christmas

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 514, 17 November 1928, Page 7

Speed Required For Christmas

AUCKLAND TROTTING CARNIVAL

With the keen-edged interest in the light-harness sport at the present moment in this locality, prompted by the staging of the Otahuhu Trotting Club's spritig fixture, the time is opportune for owners and trainers to pay heed to the monster speed carnival which has been promoted by the Auckland Club for its 19&8 Christmas season.

The clipping o£ the limit wings for the last Auckland summer function, while precluding a great number of local aspirants from participation in the good things provided by the club, had the effect of inducing the finest speed merchants in the Dominion, in both pacers and trotters’ sections, to pay a visit to Alexandra Park. The result of the innovation was a huge success from every viewpoint, and some of the wonderful speed and stamina tests witnessed on that occasion are still vivid in the recollection of all enthusiasts who were fortunate enough to witness them. Further Reductions The schedule this season has experienced further pruning in the majority of events, and while it is unfortunate no races have been included on the card that will suit the large and evergrowing contingent of local novices and improvers, the menu offering next month will nevertheless draw big fields in this department from other centres. But in the interest of those in the Auckland district who are assisting to keep the sport alive and promote its welfare, tho Metropolitan body should next season move in the direction of encouraging and catering for the improvers, who cannot proceed with their education unless travelled to the country areas at a large cost, and who are expected to prove the speed kings of the future. In connection with the Christmas carnival, the fine sum of £14,700 is being distributed in prize money for the three days racing of 24 events, giving an average of slightly over £6OO a race. Principal Items First in point of importance comes the Auckland Trotting Cup, which is richly endowed with £2,200 and a handsome gold cup valued at 100 guineas. The limit has been set at 4.27 or a point larger than the New Zealand Cup, which provided such a wonderful contest recently at Christchurch, and there is every reason to believe a similar field will be seen in action at Epsom for the rich prize. On the middle day, the . Summer Cup of £I,OOO will attract the attention of classy two-milera, but the limit is more elastic, being on a 4.30 basis. The final day, however, finds the class much tighter again, the President’s Handicap of £1,009 having 4.28 set as the front mark Real Speed Tests Ten-furlong heats are extremely popular on this schedule, two being set down for the opening day, St. Heliers Handicap, £SOO, 2.47£ limit and Akarana Handicap, £ 400, with a front line at 2.50. On the middle day the Ranfurly Handicap, of £SOO, will claim the attention of those who can tramp 2.47 J or better, but the gem of the card over this distance is the Champion Handicap of £7OO, with the short limit of 2.43.?, equivalent to 2.11 a mile. The concluding day has another £SOO race —the Premier Handicap—with a 2.47 S limit, -while an eight-furlong flutter, valued at £SOO, is well tightened up to a 2.12 mark. Two-Mile Contests Apart from the big items previously mentioned, several other events over a 16-furlong journey have been allotted, the majority having a limit at each end. The Grandstand Handicap (first day) and Telegraph Handi-

cap (third day) are endowed with £4OO and are for horses that hare not done 4.34 or better, with the limit at 4.40. On the same days the Parnell Handicap, of £SOO, and New Year Handicap, of similar amount, are set aside with a 4.34 limit, but horses that have gone 4.27 and 4.28 respectively are outside the vale. The Dominion Handicap on the central day is endowed with £ 500 and has a limit of 4.36. Graded Square-Gaiters. The trotting fraternity are well catered for each day, and in the Rowe Cup there is promise ofe one of the greatest unhoppled heats ever witnessed at Alexandra Park being seen this year. f With the agreement fixed at 4.35 for £I,OOO, the Rowe Trotting Cup can rank as one of the best square-gaited contests ever witnessed, and there is bound to be a good response from

owners. The event is aptly named as the president of the Club, Mr. John Rowe, has been a staunch advocate of the rights of the square-gaiter and has laboured earnestly to have the merits of the trotter suitably recognised. The second day, high-class trotters have the Epsom Trot to claim their attention, with its - stake of £6OO and limit of 4.36, while the Association Trot on the concluding day is gifted with a similar amount, and is set at the same class. Improving Section The improvers in both the pacing and trotting departments are well catered for, the square-gaiters being given an event each day over two miles for a stake worth £4OO. These are open to candidates that can tramp 4.50 or thereabouts. The pacers in this section are set for twelve furlongs, and only horses that have done 2.20 or better to the mile are eligible for competition; £4OO is allotted to one race each day in this class, which carries a 3.27 limit. Nominations for all events on this excellent card dose with Secretary A. G. Mabee on Friday next, November 23, at 5 p.m. sharp, when it is anticipated the lists will show a record entry for an Auckland Christmas carnival.