Trotting Club Wins Deserved Success

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 619, 22 March 1929, Page 13

Trotting Club Wins Deserved Success

PROGRESS AT THAMES THE PIONEERING SPIRIT The pioneering spirit which marked the exciting days ot the gold rush at Thames some halt" dozen decades ago was shown by the enthusiastic lovers of the lightharness sport who a few years j back decided to set the popular pastime going in the old goldmining centre. In the early days of New Zealand, sport in various forms played its part among the diggers as well as with those who followed other branches of j industry, but trotting, except for oc- j casional wagon bouts between tlie! pack and coach horses, which fie- : quented the mining camps, was an unknown recreation. j As years advanced the sport grew , in popularity ; but it was a long time j before it was taken seriously as a form of spectacular and speculative recreation at the Thames, and P^ rhaps had it not been for the enthusiasm and energy displayed by some of the more enterprising sportsmen of the district, trotting may not have occupied the high position it does today in the goldfields. The Right Spirit Having set their minds on making the pastime a popular one, those who pioneered the movement at Thames proceeded to * establish the sport thoroughly, and so faithfully and well did they carry out the project that a few years back a totalisator permit j was granted, and from that period the club has not looked back, and those responsible for the founding of the organisation have had no cause to regret their venture. Adopting a policy of progress, the officials of the Thames Club soon placed the trotting flag firmly in their midst. Although it was only in 1925 that the first “tote” meeting was held, such advancement lias been chronicled during the short period that it is quite on the cards that the goldfields club will soon be in possession of an extra day’s trotting. By its endeavour to cater in the best possible manner for owners and trainers with regard to transport and accommodation, the club lias won the commendation of those interested in this respect, while it has also gained the confidence of the general public through its excellent administration and conduct of the annual racing function. Founding the Club It was at a meeting, convened by Mr. James Twohill, and held on December 6, 1910, that the Thames Trotting Club was formed with Mr. Twohill as president, and Mr. Albert Bruce secretary pro tem. The inaugural race fixture was arranged for March 20, 1920, and six events, with total prize money of J-425, was drafted. The cup was valued at £l3O, to which was added j a trophy presented by Hancock, Ltd., I Auckland. The Auckland Trotting, j Club then donated £SO to assist the j new organisation with its opening fixture, and a further heat was added to the card. Mr. Tom Roe also offered to take his good trotting mare. Gold Girl, to the meeting, and give an exhibition over a mile, an offer that was accepted with appreciation. This fixture, like those which followed, was a huge success, and it was early apparent that the promoters were on the right track. J. Lynch won the cup with Queen Pirate, and other winners at the initial race meeting were Wild Nut, - Mins ton Belle, Lady Volo, Bronze Patch and Gold Boy. The extra event, known as the Auckland Trotting Club Handicap, was won by Bronze Patch, who defeated Roma (a mare that is now producing promising stock), and scored his second success fof the day. In her exhibition trot Gold Girl created a fine impression, registering 2.16 4-5. At the annual meeting of the club, held on July 24. 1920. Mr. B. O. Brownlee was elected secretary, and, like Mr. James Twohill, the president, has held office continuously. Other officials associated with the club from its inception and still carrying on the good work are Messrs. 1-1. Lowe, B. Faithful and J. McCormick, the latter still wearing the red coat of his clerkship office. Wanted—a Permit Two years later the club commenced an agitation for a totalisator permit, and a strong petition was forwarded to the Minister of Internal Affairs! urging the claim of the Thames organisation to recognition in this direction. In the meantime, a nontotalisator fixture was held annually, tlio last of these being on March 8, 1924, when Gold Sound annexed the chief event. A special feature of this meeting was the mile exhibition given by Mr. George McMillan’s Man o’

War. who put up the fine record on the Parawai course of 2.11 1-5. When the machine was set in motion in 1925, Roto had the honour of returning the first dividend, while Gold Sound was the first horse to have his name inscribed on the honours list of cup winners. Next year saw Rockburn win the chief event, and then followed Gold Jacket’s success in 1927, a feat he repeated last year, tramping 4.35. In these victories the Thames Club lias something to boast about, as the Gold Bell pacer, after his last cup success, went on to reach the highest plane of New Zealand pacers, eventually setting the hall-mark on his fame by capturing the Auckland Cup. Progressive Policy With the first totalisator meeting the stakes were increased to £ and so successful was the venture that the following year £1.015 was allotted. In 1927 a further increase to £1,200 was recorded, and last year, owing to the very large field in the maiden race, which necessitated it being run in divisions, an additional £BO was distributed. For to-morrow’s programme a similar amount will be circulated, for the eight events scheduled. Besides catering in such liberal fashion for owners, the club during the last two years has, at considerable cost, erected very fine stables for the convenience of those taking horses to the fixture, and the accommodation, which is given free, is greatly appre-

dated by owners and trainers. The Thames Club is ambitious in its desiif to further the interest of the popular pastime, and richly deserves all the success that conies its way. NOTES AND COMMENTS CANDIDATES FOR THAMES POINTS FOR PUNTERS Don Wildman was in the boom a bit last season, but did not materialise. If the brother to Don Wild is as good as reported he should have a royal show in the opening event. * * * Gold Treasure will be more seasoned that a lot of his opponents in the novice race to-morrow and this will be a good point in favour of Bob Hall’s candidate. The three-year-old filly Belle Axworthy, a daughter of Travis Axworthy

I and Belle Bingen, lias everything to recommend her on the score oi: breeding, and if she has gone on the right way since her visit to Auckland in the spring, should be heard from to-mor-row. The Whangarei pacer, Moko Fly, has not been over-raced this season, but he is usually in good shape when asked i to carry silk. Providing his top piece has not become permanently affected, he will be giving cheek at die Thames. Margaret Wallace is teady to put on her Sunday dress, and if she does it right in the Hikutaia Handicap, there will not be many capable of finishing in front of her. Warspite will have a good following at Thames on account of coming from the successful Shaw stable. While he has made improvement since being trained at Epsom, he may require a race to tune him up. } There will be a big shuffle to get , on Dealer in the slow two-mile heat at

Thames and it is to be hoped no one will be injured in the crush. Polly’s Picture is improving under Garth Robertson’s tuition and the mare may surprise the natives by hanging on well over two miles. Peter Pirate has yet to prove he can go a distance, although in his 12furlong essays he has always been going well at the finish. If he keeps cool Peter might be a nuisance in the Kerepeehi Handicap. * * * Haerenga Pai finished second iu the 4.50 two-mile race last March, and with another year over her head should prove equal to putting up a keen fight. The mare is also engaged in a 12-fur- ! long heat • e » Horses for courses. Concertina won a double at Thames last year and she claims two engagements again to-mor-row. The Hal Zolock mare must have a good chance in the Cup. | If Grand Light turns up to-morrow j he should be first choice on the rna- ! chine in the big event. He is a sturdy

colt, built like a real stayer. uj« is sure to show a bold front in his races. There was no disgrace in Carmel’s defeat at Palmerston North, as he was conceding the winner, Riohore, who j tramped 4.39, 60 yards. There should | be some money for this fellow to-mor-row. • • * When she finished second to Cornelian at Claudelands. Limosa went a good race and with k bit of improvement in the interval the Denver Huon mare should make her presence felt in the Cup. * * * Royal Locanda only requires to put in an appearance at Thames in his best uniform to cause a stir among those in ; the Turua Handicap field. Last winter j he kept Travis Axworthy busy over a j mile and a-half. * * * l Regret ran two sterling races at j Claudelands and on that form the i Wild Cry mare must prove a tough I proposition in any event she is started j | in to-morrow.

"Ursuline would only need io away right In the saddle heat to make it very difficult for the uppubition to 1 get the main portion of the btakc. The Otahuhu mare is in fine order just now. * * * Old Huon Grattan will feel lost being i on a 2.22 mark at Thames, and if he was to reproduce a shadow of his onej time speed, would be in the picture. • * * j Gold Cast must have a good chance j of success in the saddle go. He will not j get many races again with such feeble I opposition. * * • j Golden Hope has come on well under j “Togo” Lee's charge and he should pull out a respectable effort in the Puriri Handicap. Nella Dillon is nicely placed in the ' Farewell Handicap, and if Grand Light 1 or Carmel are missing the Author Dillon mare will keep the rest scratching ' in an endeavour to overtake her.