Wanganui Trotting Club is Advancing

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 904, 22 February 1930, Page 13

Wanganui Trotting Club is Advancing

LEAN PERIODS OVER?

When the Wanganui Trotting Club last year staged a highly successful two-day fixture, it turned the corner after a hard fight against lean times. That success is reflected in the schedule arranged for the meeting which takes place this year on April 10 and 12.

If there is one trotting organisation in New Zealand deserving of public support and encouragement in its aim to keep the light-harness sport going it is the Wanganui Club. In good days or in dull days, those who control the destiny of the sporting body have never failed in an endeavour to provide clean, keen trotting for its patrons, and at last the public realises what the officials have done to promote and advance a pastime that has no equal for popularity in the South Island and many parts of the North Island. The Wanganui sporting fraternity must recognise that it is only by dint of energy and perseverence on the part of those who have had. and still have, the interests of the sport at heart, that an annual fixture is staged in the River City, and this should induce them to rally round the club and show appreciation of such efforts by assisting, not only to make the 1930 function a success, but to establish a record. Early History The game of trotting is not by any means new to Wanganui, and older residents remember the meetings held between 40 and 50 years ago at Flemington Bark. In those days the sport, while not of any great standard, was decidedly popular. Tradesmen of every description possessed hacks that could trot at a reasonable gait, and matches were often arranged that proved interesting to the public. As time went on some of the enthusiasts formed the Wanganui Club. Many successful functions were held on the Wanganui racecourse. So well did the club advance and so popular became the pastime, that the club launched on a big property scheme and transferred its sporting carnivals to JEastown. The move was unfortunately not a success. It was decided to revert to the scene of former operations, and during the last five seasons the Wanganui meeting has taken place on the racecourse. There is no doubt that many clubs having the misfortune which befel the local organisation for several years would have “thrown in the towel,” but those connected with the promotion and administration of the club’s affairs and the sport were made of tough material. The pioneering spirit was prominent, and this, added to an ambitious desire to “win through,” has been responsible for a meeting still eventuating annually at Wanganui. Such determination deserves success, and this can be achieved in large measure if the sporting public will co-operate with the executive by supporting its objective. “Abaydos’* has witnessed two fixtures of late at Wanganui, and was pleased to note a keener interest being taken in the sport by the residents. Last year saw a great success achieved in every way, and the club should be able now to look into the future with confidence.

When arranging its dates this year, the executive wisely decided to open the Wanganui-Taranaki circuit, and this will prove of general advantage to Wanganui, Hawera and Taranaki clubs. An attractive programme has been drafted for the approaching carnival at Wanganui, and classes arranged in such a way that horses properly placed may win at the meeting, and, according to the new system of handicapping, be on the end of some races at Hawera. The stakes have tfeen increased so that no event is of less value than £IOO, while the cup is endowed to the extent of £225, including a £25 trophy presented by Mr. T. H. Lovegrove. Entries for all events will close with Secretary C. S. Swan on Friday, March 21. Handicaps will make their appearance on March 28, and acceptances will be received on April 4. The two-day card, which will appeal to owners and trainers throughout the Auckland Province, is appended. The Schedule First Day. Innovation Handicap, of £100; 3.45 limit; 1£ miles. Kirkwood Handicap (Trotters), of £IOO, 3.50 limit; 1£ miles. Eastbrook Handicap, of £llO, 3.40 limit; lfc miles. _ , .. Wanganui Cup, of £225, 4.48 limit; 2 miles. Foster’s Handicap (Saddle), of £llO, 2.25 limit; 1 mile. President’s Handicap (Trotters), of £l2O, 5.2 limit; 2 miles. Morton Memorial Handicap, of £l3O, 2.58 limit; 11 miles. Second Day. Improvers’ Handicap, £IOO, 3.45 limit; 1$ miles. Borough Handicap (Trotters), of £IOO, 3.50 limit; 1£ miles. Suburban Handicap, of £llO, 3.40 limit; li miles. Liverpool Handicap, of £175; 4.48 limit; 2 miles. Stewards’ Handicap (Saddle), of £llO, 2.25 limit; 1 mile. Ballance Handicap (Trotters), of £l2O, 5.2 limit; 2 miles. Farewell Handicap, of £l3O, 2.22 limit; 1 mile.