Trotting Progress

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 874, 18 January 1930, Page 13

Trotting Progress

HAWKE’S BAY’S ENTERPRISE Fine Country Circuit SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS WHEN “Abaydos” visited the Hawke’s Bay Trotting ( lub s fixture last June he was asked to make any suggestions which might prove beneficial to the future of the sport in that locality and helpful to the club generally.

The general management of the function left no room for improvement, and the various officials worked in unison and the effect of the successful team-work was reflected in the splendid achievement recorded. Weighing up the pros and cons of the Hastings carnival, however, the writer came to the conclusion that an earlier date would prove highly advantageous to the East Coast liglitorganisation, and that a schedule comprising €*ight events each day would be preferable to the seveneight formation of former years. A further suggestion toward improvement was the substitution of a twomile event for the second princijial

Item tn lieu of the mile and five furlongs contest, which was not suitable to several owners, and consequently meant that some eligible candidates who had any distance to travel would not visit the fixture for the Cup only. A Wise Policy These points were considered recently b3 f the management, which decided to give effect to them. Application was made to the authorities for an alteration of dates from June to March and this was finaly agreed to. .tThen the programme committee tackled its job of arranging the 1930 card there was a consensus of opinion t bat 16 races be allotted and that, a two-mile event, to correspond with the Cup contest, take the place of the (U-furlong heat. Its amendment to last year’s card flemonstrates the sincerity of the Hawke’s Bay trotting officials to popularise the sport on the East Coast, and to cater for its numerous patrons in ihe best possible manner. That these efforts are appreciated on all sides will be fully borne out when the carnival eventuates on March 15 and 17, £nd it is no exaggeration to say that the forthcoming function will overshadow its highly successful predecessor of 1929. Interesting Circuit The Hawke's Bay Club has been happy in the choice of dates this season, and its meeting forms an important link in a remarkable North Island country light-harness circuit, which commences with the Manawatu meeting, early in March, and terminates at Cambridge the first week of May. At_ all the fixtures to be staged during that period, owners of novice, improving and intermediate pacers and trotters will find plenty of scope for their charges, while at some of the carnivals provision is made for even highergrade competitors.

The circuit alluded to is as follows: March 12— Manawatu Trotting Club. March 15-17—Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club. March 22—Wellington Trotting Club. March 29—Thames Trotting Club. April s—Waikato5 —Waikato Trotting Club. April 10-12—Wanganui Trotting Club. April 3 9-21—Hawcra Trotting Club. April 26—Taranaki Trotting Club. May 3—Cambridge Trotting Club. Auckland provincial owners should find such an arrangement quite suitable, and those who are in the habit of visiting Hastings will this year be able to include the Manawatu fixture in their programme. The latter club should benefit through the earlier staging of the Hawke’s Bay function and the meeting at Ashhurst promises to be the best yet held under the auspices of the Palmerston North body. Popular Fixtures The April circuit will also attract a good proportion of horses from this district, and after the Waikato card has been disposed of there should be a trek to Wanganui., where the sport last year showed a most appreciable revival. With its meeting coming this time before the Taranaki carnivals, the Wanganui organisation should meet with even greater success. Then follows the monster Hawera meeting at Easter, and at this centre the pastime has reached a high standard. The progress of this club has been very marked of later years arrd the 1930 function early promises to eclipse all previous efforts. After a few days’ spell Taranaki claims attention and here again the catering for owners is done on an attractive scale. Last year witnessed a lively interest in the sport in New Plymouth, and the success achieved will undoubtedly be again maintained. When this meeting is out of hand it will be a case of “home, boys,” for a day or two, and then off to the interesting Cambridge fixture. Hawke’s Bay Card The 1930 Hawke’s Bay schedule has been framed on attractive lines, and the sum of £2,270 has been allotted in prize-money. On the opening day the principal item is the Hawke’s Bay Cup, of £3OO and a £SO cup, the driver of the winner to be presented with a gold-mounted whip. The limit is set at 4.47, which is also the mark of eligibility for the East Coast Handicap on the second day, which carries a purse of £250. On each day a ten-furlong heat is arranged to suit horses engaged in the longer events, the respective limits being 2.58 and 2.56, each endowed to the extent of £l3O.

Novices and improving pacers are given ample opportunity to pay their way, with 12 furlong items for horses that are capable of doing 3.45, 3.40 and 3.36, and two ten-furlong heats of a 3.5 limit. Two mile and a-half handicaps are included for 3.50 squaregaiters, while those who prefer a half-mile longer course have 5.5 and 5.3 class events. The prize-money principally in these items ranges from £l2O to £l5O. Such a fine bill of fare cannot fail to appeal to owners and when secretary A. E. Palmer makes up his entry list on February 24 a record in this direction should bo registered.