Amended Trot Card for Auckland Fixture

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 980, 24 May 1930, Page 13

Amended Trot Card for Auckland Fixture

LIMITS EXTENDED WAY TO AVOID CONFUSION The Auckland Trotting Club executive has adopted the suggestion trade in THE SUN on behalf of a large number of owners to extend the limits of the Winter Trot and Mangere Handicap. | n adopting this policy the club has shown clearly that it realises the position obtaining at the present juncture, and is sincere in its effort to meet the requirements of the majorityr The “Winter Trotting Handicap, originally carried a limit of 4.53, which meant that a good number of improvers would either be required to give away time to take part in the contest, or be turned out until next season. The extension to a 5-minute limit should see many owners grasping the chance to get a s-hare of the prize-money. The Mangere Handicap, in the first place, provided for horses that had done 2.20 or better to the mile, with the prohibitive limit for the average Auckland provincial improving pacer of 3.28*. An alteration has been effected to allow horses that have a 2.24 mile record to take part and the limit is fixed at 3.36. General satisfaction is expressed on all .sides at the amendments made in this direction, and owners will show appreciation of the club’s action by according these items solid support. All Trots Altered But the management went further on the question of limit expansion, and every square-gn ited event on the card lias been altered. Whether this is “for better or worse” remains to be seen. The Provincial Handicap, which was for the 4.49 or better class, is now extended to 4.52, while the Royal Handicap limit has been altered from 4.53 to 4.57. Where the shoe will pinch most, however, is in the two main trotting ©vents—Stewards’ Handicap and Members’ Handicap. Set with a 4.40 limit, these items were bound to appeal to a good number of highergrade square-gaiters, but with the . lasses lengthened to 4.44 and 4.43, the better ones are likely to be missing. During the season drawing to a close, programmes in Auckland have been altered on several occasions after the original schedule Has been approved by the association and circulated freely among owners and trainers. The reason for this is obviotis. Owing to the lack of a proper organisation, owners and trainers are at rwos-and-threes, and there is no unanimity on such an importaent subject as framing suitable classes for competition. The clubs endeavour to do their best, but her© again there is a lack of knowledge regarding the suitability of limits. The local metropolitan body frames its various cards with a view to bringing together the best possible material, but with a dearth of high-grade horses in the province it is usually left to visitors to supply the necessary material. But no matter how high the status of a club, it cannot afford, in its own interest or that of the sport it promotes, to prohibit altogether the novice

brigade, from which, after all, the future champions must be drawn. After the experience of this season, it looks as If it will be good business the local clubs are preparing ttext year’s catalogues to take owners and trainers into their confidence, tyhile the Auckland Owners and Association is practically extinct, there should be enough enthusiasm left among some of the members to form a committee that could assist the clubs in dealing with such an important question as the teaming of programmes. This scheme has worked out satisfactorily in the South Island, where there is an association alive to the interests of all concerned, and one whose business acumen could well be emulated by even a few of Auckland’s Progressive enthusiasts. The Amended Card

That, however, is a subject for future reference, but must not be lost sight ® T * * n the meanwhile, the main issue 'itn owners and trainers is to study the amended schedule for the forthSSSnPg w * n ter fixture next month, •'htch is appended: first day.—-Saturday, june 21.. Winter Handicap (trotters), of £250, ®nun limit; 2 miles. li2J anfrere Handicap, of £250: 3.36 fi/T 1 *mles; for horses that have jjone 1.24 or better to the mile at time ©r nomination. Proving Handicap (trotters), of *’“ o0: 4.52 limit; 2 miles, ft,* Mark Memorial Handicap, of th ♦ w ' 3l 2 miles; for horses trtri «* ve d°ne or been handicapped tien * ° r k e^er at time of nominait2f.°bson Handicap, of £300; 4.40 ““ft: 3 miles. Handicap (trotters), of £ «0: 4.44 limit: a miles. lf^ rn . wall Handicap, of £400; 2.14 l mile . Handicap, of £250; 2.51$ hunt (2.17); 1* miles. SECOND DAY.—MONDAY, JUNE 23. .H a ndicap, of £250; 3.285 lion a’o o rmles; for norses that have uf"I: "T 0 or better to tho mile at time 01 nomination, 4V7°i- a *.Handicap (trotters), of £250; s„K m L t: 2 miles. lW^ ban Handicap, of £250; 4.46 p l ;.’ r miles. 4ln F Ce . of v '* a les Handicap, of £750; iiava 2 miles; for horses that •lioL. 00 * 16 or been handicapped to do asq better at time of nomination, ion Homorial Cup, of £SOO and miw i! J ea s ,ld cu p: 4.3 G limit; € kt t? aandica PP e d to do 4.36 or better V of nomination. Handicap (trotters), of r* ’ 4 - 4 s limit; 2 miles, ilmit Handicap, of £250; 2.5 U a,, H miles. limit % v ° ir Handicap, of £400: 2.471 c '2.14); l* miles. June 6, has been set . as . the time for receiving schJri na i tlons * op events on the ri-4 e * , Mabee on the same ov * W, JI accept entries from fe%i L* °* P r ©sent yearlings for the f ‘*9l Great Northern Derby.