THRILLING SPORT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 609, 11 March 1929, Page 7

THRILLING SPORT

WHIPPET RACING COMES TO AUCKLAND SATURDAY’S MEETING REVIEWED Half a dozen whistles sound a short staccato blast. A perfect babel of wound rises from a score of highlystrung dogs, barking furiously in their rages. Then a man waves a handkerchief, the sharp crack of a pistol rips the air, and six lithe whippets wpeed like arrows down narrow ropedoft lanes. All the time, those halfdozen whistles at the other end of the ground are shrieking and shrilling, and the little four-footed speedsters seem instinctively to lengthen their flashing stride as they recognise the particular note which calls them on to still greater effort. Past the finishing post they fly, wtih another 35 or 40 yards to slacken off, and the owners hastily dive for their charges. Some come kindly ;o the chain, others are only captured ar. .id a series of terrific yelps, and more often than not half the field elude their masters and set off again in razor-edged rivalry for the other end. The crowd cheers and laughs with keen appreciation of the doggy mind, while perspiring owners and trainers sprint lustily in pursuit. Thus is the sport of whippet-racing introduced to Auckland. The controlling authority is the Manawatu Whippet Racing Club, which had decided weeks before to hold its annual autumn meeting at Auckland. These alert and progressive enthusiasts have made a great success of tho new sport in and around Palmerston North, and they are keen to see whippet-racing go ahead in Auckland. CROWDS ENTHUSIASM Upwards of 2,000 people were at Carlaw Park on Saturday to see this pioneering venture in a new sport, which it is hoped to put on a regular footing, with the newly established Auckland Club as the future body of control. The racing proved new and strange to the crowd at first. The terrific speed of tho dogs saw 175yds bursts accomplished with ease in 11 seconds or a little slower, and the whippets, gaily caparisoned like racehorses. with, their multi-coloured rugs, travelled so fast when stripped, and slipped into their stride, that a high pitch of concentration was called for to sort them out at the finish. The hurdle races, however, gradually fired the latent enthusiasm of tho crowd, and it must have been a pleasing sound to the hard-working officials to hear the volume of cheering as tho day wore on. Strong counter-attractions at. Puke kobo. Muriwai, and on the Whau naturally had some effect on the attendance at a. sport which had to be taken largely on trust, but a splendid afternoon’s sport was provided, and most of the spectators seemed well pleased with the day’s outing, although many regretted tho absence of wagering facilities such as are recognised in tho major racing sport. HOT STUFF AGAIN The big event of the day, the Autumn Cup, was won by Mr. E. F. Thwaites’s Hot Stuff, recognised as one of the best dogs in the Manawatu, and the winner of the Manawatu Cup last Labour Day. Although this dog had the luck to get off to a flying start on the rest of the field, it was closely attended all tho way by its “stablemate,” Sandy Prince, and the finish was a keenly fought one. Sandy Prince is a. new dog, just recently brought in by the owner of tho winner, and it ran surprisingly well. It should win races later on.

The second leg of the double was , provided by Gold Dust, owned by Mr. R. L. C. Aitchison, a full-brother to the winner, with the well known breed- i ing. Prince Comedy—Pepper, to recommend it. This dog ran two great races over the hurdles, capturing both events in fine style. The meeting of these two winning dogs will bo keenly anticipated again in the near future, as there are many good judges who contend that there is little or nothing between the pair on the flat. Nanette, one of the best dggs in the Manawatu, was a little off form on Saturday, and did not show up as well as expected, the long journey from Palmerston North evidently upsetting this fine animal. Laughing Prince, too, appeared to be out of condition. Roth these dogs will run better later. Kiltie, a young dog, ran better than was expected, and Giggles also showed up well. The presentation of the cup to the winning owner, Mr. Thwaites, was made by the president of the Auckland Rugby League, Mr. George Rhodes, who congratulated the Manawatu Club on its enterprise in staging a. meeting in Auckland, and also Mr. Thwaites on winning the big event with his fine dog. Mr. R. Cousins, trainer of the winner, also came in for a round of applause. LIGHTNING WINS RAILWAY Auckland dogs were catered for by the Railway Handicap, which resulted ir a keen finish between Lightning and Express Transit, two rapidly improving dogs, owned by Messrs. Hardy and Howell respectively. Although the president of the Manawatu Club. Mr. F. A. Cousins, was unable to be present in person, practically all his fellow-officials were on hand to assist at the inauguration of the sport in Auckland, headed by the vicepresident. Mr. E. R. Wimsett, and Mr. E. F. Thwaites. chairman of committee. Mr. Remington acted as starter, and Mr. Norman Wade as judge, with Mr. V. Shirrlffs assisting him. The arrangements for keeping the spectators fully informed in the different events were in the capable hands of Messrs. A. V. and L. G. Oliver, while the joint secretaries. Messrs. E. M. Robinson and R. L. C. Aitchison, had evervthing in their department well UP to th© mark, with the Auckland Rugby League heads, Messrs. G. Rhodes and I. Culpan. present in an advisory capacity. The meeting as a whole was conducted without a hitch, and reflected the greatest credit on all concerned. Results: baildon handicap Of £25; second £5 from stake; 175yds. First Heat.—Mrs. L. Giorgi’s Giggles (18yds), l; Mr. E. Wimsetfs Trixie (15yds), 2. Six started. Won by a yard. Time, llsec. . Second llcat.—Mr. A. Phillips s Sandy (16yds >, 1; Mr. A. Ballard's Tull o Tricks (ISyds), 2. Six starters. Won by a long neck. Time, 11 l-ssec. , Third Heat. —Mr. E. V. Thwaites s Sandy Prince (18yds), 1; Mr R. L. O. Aitchison’s Tea Bell (15yds), Wo two yards. Time. 11 2-ssec. , Final.—Full o' Tricks. 1; sandy. Scr.: Tea Bell. Won by a head. Time. GREY LYNN HURDLES Or £2O: second £5 from stake. ] ‘. Js '**?■ First Heat —Mr. R. L. C -, Al 4'L 1 il,Ins’s Gold Dust (10yds), 1; Mr. A. Phillips s Sandy (17yds). 2. Four started. Won by a good len -tli. Is 1-asec Second Heat. —Mr. . Shirrlffs s rime Mvds). 1: Mr. A. Phillips s Miss Ransom (11yds), 2. Four starters. Won by a length. Time, 13 3-ssec. , Third Heat.—Mr. R. L. C. At t Chi son s Tea Bell (13yds). 1; Mr. A. Hynanna (22vds), 2. Four starters. \ oi by half a length. Time. 13 b-ssec. Final.—Gold Dust. 1: Miss Ransom, 2. A great race. Won by half a length. Time, 12 4-ssec. AUTUMN CUP Of £SO. and Gup valued at £2O presented by Messrs. Cliffe and Remington; second £lO from stake. 175yds. First Heat.—Mrs. 1.. Ginrgi'R Giggles (ISyds), i. Mr. E. F. Thwaites's Hot Stuff