English Reinsman

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 755, 30 August 1929, Page 12

English Reinsman

F. SMITH, GREENFORD PARK. TROTTING MENTOR, COMES TO RESIDE IN AUCKLAND KEEN ON THE GAME Although there has been a big advancement in the breed of trotting stock in England during the last few years, which has created keener and better racing, there is ■ marked decline in public support of the light harness sport and it has lost a lot of its former popularity. Such is the position in. the Old Country as described by Mr. F. J. Smith, who after many years spent in the trotting business at Greenford Park, near London, has arrived in Xew Zealand with a view to following his profession in this part of tile globe. In the course of an interesting chat. Trainer Smith informed “Abaydos” that the small stakes offering and the

lack of strict control-was chiefly responsible for the unhappy state of affairs in the land he has just vacated. “During the past season there has been a big falling off in the attendance at the various meetings in England,” said Mr. Smith, “and so acute has the position become that two of the leading . tracks, Manchester and Blackpool, have recently been closed. At Greenford Driving Park, where some of the best racing is witnessed, the public support has been decidedly disappointing, and even'with the reduced stakes, most of the meetings have resulted in a loss. Breeding has improved and the country' is well stocked just now with promising young pacers and trotters, but unless there is a revival of interest in the sport trotting stock will decline in value.” Mr. Smith, who has been associated with the pastime for 13 years, has met with a good measure of success, according to the records the writer was privileged to peruse, but as he remarked the lean stakes make it absolutely impossible for a man to come out on the right side of the ledger. While there are one or two fair handicaps in England, the average prizemoney is from £3O-to >£4o, and as all events are run in heats, the winner of which receives a small percentage of the stake, there is not much left for the winner of the final. To illustrate the point, it may be stated that in 11 weeks’ racing the Greenford trainer won 3 9 races with his team and when a balance was struck he found the amount won in stakes had not paid expenses. Last season in Lancashire, where many meetings were held. Geo Goddard and Jas. Young headed the list of winning owners with 23 wins each. collecting in prize-

aoney £ 337 and £ 350 respectively. All the racing is done on indcr tracks 'and handicaps are slotted on the yards system, ten yards

; ing allowed to the second, instead the 12 yards as obtains in the Do-

minion. • While the majority of events are adjusted on the “owing** style •some clubs have handicaps on the “receiving” system, allowing those in receipt of start to run less than the distance of the race. “The cinder tracks are not as fast as clay ones under congenial conditions; but for general utility they are greatly preferred by owners " and trainers.” said Mr. Smith. Last Easter Trainer Smith took part in the Easter carnival at Greenford Park with his trotting filly, Linnett the Great, which he brought to New Zealand with him. The mare won a heat of the Easter Handicap, a race valued at £9O, her portion being £B, She also competed in the chief event— Greenford Cup—valued at £l2O, and again she earned £8 by winning a heat, but was beaten in both fin-als. When the statistics were compiled last season Smith was fifth on the list jof successful reinsmen in England I with 26 wins, the premiership being I captured by J. Skinner (57). with J. Booth. Junr., (52)' runner-up. The Greenford mentor handled some good ones, including Red Cross | and Lambetto (pacers). Flora Strath- ; more (a free legged pacer) and Cheva- : tier (trotter). The roan gelding Red ; Cross he considers the best pacer he ’ had in the Old Dart, the son'of Colonel He is also enthusiastic about the ' doings of the blind trotter. Jlosetter : M.. who has proved a consistent stake j earner in England. ‘‘She is a wonderful mare.” said Mr. Smith, “and despite her affliction can handle any track just as well as her more fortunate rivals. She is probably the most popular light harness exponent that sports silk in the Old Country.” Although he is a stranger to the frequenters of the Epsom track. Fred Smith, by his unassuming and genial manner, has become a general favourite and the “boys” hope to see him become firmly established in Auckland. , where he is sure to prove an acquisij tion to the spo-r. Prior to leaving ! England. Mr Smith had an offer to go jto Germany to train for a leading i owner in the country, but noting the | progress being, made in Xew Zealand j he decided to try his fortunes in this ; country, where he modestly stated to j the writer there should be a good chance of gaining further experience and picking up the finer points of the