Keen Question of Trotting Dates

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 709, 8 July 1929, Page 12

Keen Question of Trotting Dates

APPLICATION FROM CLUBS CLASHES MUST BE AVOIDED By “ABAYDOS” In the scramble for dates on which to race during the forthcoming season, there is an early indication that some definite steps will need to be taken by the committee of the conference in order to avoid a clash between a few clubs operating in the Auckland Province. ; In the past the season in this local- ! ity has been opened about the middle of October at Alexandra Park with

the Auckland Club’s spring carnival, and while the fixture is of a suitable calibre for horses that have passed the primary standards, the novices and improvers on the initial stage of their upward journey are precluded from getting into action publicly at the commencement of the new light-harness year. Encourage the Novices For the last two seasons The Sun has advocated the need for better facilities for the novice classes, and as the metropolitan body tightens its limits to such a prohibitive basis for these performers, it is left to the country clubs mainly to give the budding aspirants a chance to prove their ability. Last year the Northland Club, a progressive organisation, and one that is right out to assist owners of lesser lights, staged its meeting on Labour Day. Prior to this the Whangarei enthusiasts were given a draught-board option of a date, and they had no fixed allotment, being moved round each year. The Labour Bay scheme proved a big success and the good people of the North began to see the ‘‘silver lining in the cloud": but it would appear their troubles are far from ended, as the Auckland Club is this season laying seige to October 26 and 28, the latter day being that on which the Northland Club hoped to race. Just what view the Conference Committee will take of the position remains to be seen, but Dame Rumour has it that the big concern will secure the holiday date. Chance For Early Meeting Even should Auckland succeed with its application, the Whangarei stalwarts will not lose heart, and as the "early bird catches the worm,” the club could with advantage get in earlier in tlio month. The Waikato Club, evidently recognising the great possibilities offering for staging an early fixture, has applied for October 12 as the date of its first meeting next season, and if the Northland Club is forced to seek another day it may be able to open the Auckland circuit for 1929-1930. An early fixture at Whangarei would be decidedly popular with owners and trainers throughout the province. It would give them a chance to qualify their candidates for the Waikato meeting, while those competing at Claudelands on October 12 would have a splendid opportunity of becoming eligible for the more advanced classes at Epsom a fortnight later. Thus a compact little circuit would mark the opening of the new season in this trotting area, and each club would benefit as a result of the operation. Threatened Clash The Otahuhu spring, Auckland summer, Otahuhu summer and Waikato summer fixtures are as usually conveniently arranged and there will be a clear passage in each instance. A mix-up is threatened, however, as both Te Aroha and Thames are petitioning for March 29. The former club has come forward about three weeks, which brings it particularly adjacent to the Thames day, but the latter body has also "sighted” March 22 as its second choice. This, however, will probably cause another clash between Thames Trotting Club and Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. The final trouble in the “date” arena as far as the Auckland Province is concerned is that which promises to see Cambridge Trotting Club racing on the last day of the Whangarei Trotting Club’s fixture. The latter, following the Hawera and Taranaki fixtures, cannot get in before May 1-3, and it is for the latter day that Cambridge has applied. That, however, is a question that the Dates Committee will find an answer to without inflicting a hardship on either club, and in any case it would appear as if the Cambridge body would benefit extensively by following on the heels of the coastal circuit. The Auckland Club’s application for the winter carnival again stands for June, but an alteration in these plans may be forthcoming before a final decision is arrived at Dates Applied For The appended table shows the dates applied for by Auckland provincial clubs for the coming season. Last year’s date is given in parentheses: Waikato Trotting Club, October 12 (December 8); Auckland Trotting Club. October 25-28 (October 13-17): Northland Club, October 28 (October 22>; Otahuhu Club. November 23. 27 (November 17-21): Auckland Club. De- ! cember 27, 28, 31 (December 27. 29, ! 31); Otahuhu Club. February 22. 2o , (February 23, 27): Waikato Club, i March 1 (March 2): Te Aroha Club, March 29 (April 20): Thames Club, March 29 or 22 (March 23): Cambridge Club. May 3 (May 4): Auckland I Club. June 21, 23 (June 22, 24).