Trotting Club’s Forward March

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 601, 1 March 1929, Page 13

Trotting Club’s Forward March

WAIKATO’S ENTERPRISE

FINE CLAUDELANDS COURSE

The Waikato Trotting Club ranks as one of the most progressive light-harness orga n isations in the Dominion, and during the last few years has made splendid advancement, and there is every reason to believe that in the not distant future it will rank as one of the leading trotting clubs in New Zealand.

Fur a lung: period the energetic and enthusiastic members of the popular country club have been imbued with the spirit of progress, but they realised that it was advisable to walk before endeavouring to leap, and accordingly they kept along the even tenor of their way. The meetings were always well conducted and recognising that the club was honest in its intention to further the welfare of the popular pastime and cater to the best of its ability for the public, an additional permit was handed out to the Hamilton promoters of good sport, and then commenced the forward march. It was not, however, until a meeting was held at Epsom that the club became sufficiently financial to prosecute an ambitious scheme of general improvements to its property at Claudelands, and the work was put in hand without any delay. A Good Lead Mr. R. T. Reid, now stipendiary steward, was at that period president of the Waikato Club, and the fine course and appointments at Claudelands to-day stand as a. monument to his interest and enthusiasm for the club and the sport generally. He was fortunate in having a “Jive-wire” committee to co-operate in the scheme, with the result that progress was rapidly made in the direction of consummating the plan of improvements. These have been carried out so effectively that Claudelands has been brought into the foreground as one of the most up-to-date trotting properties in the Dominion.

That the project was a large one is demonstrated by the fact that the work when completed cost approximately Jj 10,000. When a survey is taken of the main appointments it is hard to visualise

the transformation that has t |:en place from the Claudelands of ola. Stands have been removed, linked up again and generally altered and renovated in a most pleasing manner, while a new stewards’ stand has been erected. Popularising the Sport Included in the most striking of the many improvements is the conversion of the old mile course to a track of six furlongs in circumference and a chain in width. The turns are adequately ramped and there is a splendid sole of grass for the full journey. The horses race left-handed, as has always obtained on this circuit, and there is a run home of over a furlong and a-half. The reduced circumference of trotting tracks is a feature that makes the sport so popular, as patrons can follow the horses throughout the full journey. At Claudelands this desired facility has the very fullest sway under the new order of arrangements. Claudelands is destined to become a leading centre for the training of horses. To meet the 14 . uirements in this connection the club nas laid down a jogging track, approximately four furlongs, on portion of the inner area of the course. A competent caretaker is in charge and has everything in apple-pie order, and owners and trainers have nothing but praise to offer toward the endeavours of the executive of the club in giving due consideration to the needs of those so closely associated with the light harness sport. What of the Future? With such excellent appointments it is not surprising to find, the Waikato Club’s advocacy for additional permits receiving favourable consideration from the Minister of Internal Affairs, and it is safe to say that when any are available they will be handed on to the Hamilton essives. With two meetings a vear of two days’ duration, the club would make further strides, and its functions would become even more popular than at present. The extra days would attract visiting owners and trainers from further afield, and with the fixtures being held at suitable dates, they would be recognised as among the most important in the. Dominion. In Mr. H. W. Burch, as president, in succession to Mr. 11. T. Reid, the club was again fortunate, as he is another of the wide awake enthusiasts whose motto is clean sport and progress. The committee is a happy and harmonious body flying the banner of unity, while holding the secretarial reins is Mr. T. Cl. Reynolds, whose courteousness and efficiency is a great factor in assisting generally toward the success that attends, and let it be sincerely hoped, will continue to attend the enterprising efforts of the club toward success. EPSOM SIDELIGHTS RUNNERS FOR HAMILTON POINTS FOR PUNTERS Don Zolock’s solidity carr.led him ‘ into second place at the finish of the opening trot, and the old trotter went one of liis best races. George Paton has him very well at present. Ktta Cole went a sound race from a long way behind in the opening trot, and except for one fault she gave a splendid exhibition. The run will do her no harm for immediate engagements. Anseline went her usual solid race over two miles, and she- was well in the picture when it came to the finish, being just behind the placed horses. Joe Gee’s mare is at her best just now. Tamahine gave another good display for 12 furlongs, and then the pace and distance found her out. Over the shorter course tlie Palmerston North mare will be a winner soon. Carmel was not eligible for events at Alexander Park, but he will be eligible to take the money at Claudelands. He is a half-brother to The Abbey, and may decline to go away, however. AY. J. Tomkinson drove Mountain

Dell the other morning’, and the young pacer gave a creditable showing, although inclined to hitch in her gait on the bends. Anselm is right in the pink, and he was travelling fast at the finish of the saddle race. He will be dangerous over short courses for a while now. Wrackler did not start in the final heat at Epsom, and backers were a long time before they made up their mind what to substitute as favourite. He will see a short price if started in the Waikato Cup. Torpedo Huon’s good form will be remembered to-morrow, and the Australian pacer will be well supported in his Cup engagement. Nelson Tasker will have a good chance to make amends at Claudelands to-morrow, and he will be one of the hardest to beat in the Cup. Although Medusa was defeated on Wednesday over two miles, she put up a good light, and over a mile course at Hamilton her opponents can be prepared to take the count. Gold Dial is in tip-top order, and if her sister. Bell Dial, is in the same state of health, the unhoppled division will wish G. A. Williams had left her at Wellsford. In her last two races, Maid of the Mountains has been showing up prominently, and it may not be long before she bobs up and pays another hatful. Bright Bight may not be at Hamilton, but if he is, the Taranaki trotter is sure to be shining in a place. His Christmas form was reassuring. Limosa is a useful filly from Canterbury, and if she is present at Claudelands will add a lot of interest%:o some of the contests. Rolfe Audubon got a bad run in the mile and a-half on Wednesday, or he would have been closer at the finish. He will tackle two miles to-morrow, and he looks like a stayer. Tony Victor is threatening to get on the victor’s list, and his turn may come to-morrow, as he is nicely placed in a mile heat. Trustworthy failed to see out 12 furlongs the other day, but the race may have done her good. If so, the filly might be in the firing line in the unlioppled beat at Claudelands. Nella Dillon only started once at the Otahuhu fixture, and then she got j a bad passage. The Author Dillon filly is looking well, and may get a prize to-morrow. Halga/na was given two starts on Wednesday, but she did not display the dash which characterised her effort on Saturday. She is not a robust mare, and does not thrive on racing.