Trotting

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1035, 28 July 1930, Page 12

Trotting

“MAGNIFICENT SPORT”

TROTTING PROGRESSING WELL IN N.Z. POPULAR PASTIME Although there are a few critics in New Zealand who continue to harp to the tune that the trotting sport is slipping while the sister pastime is bounding along merrily, the majority of followers of racing generally are agreed that the lightharness game has made remarkable advancement in pub'ic popularity. Those who entertained any doubts on this score, and particularly keen admirers of the galloping sport who cannot see any attractiveness about the trotting game, will not fail to be struck with the position as pointed out by several Southern delegates at the recent meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference. The representatives from Christchurch did not attempt tc conceal their concern at the great hold the light-harness sport had taken on the public in Canterbury, ani in fact the whole of the South island. One speaker maintained that racing was losing more and more ground to trotting, and expressed the opinion that the way things were going now in the South Island, it would “eat” the sister sport up. He paid a tribute to the light-harness pastime, which he termed “a magnificent sport.” remarking that it had a tremendous hold on the public. Spectacular Sport Other delegates agreed that trotting was gaining the day as the more spectacular pastime, which was attributed to the fact that the larger distance contests created greater interest for spectators. Auckland lovers of trotting will agree with this sentiment, as for years past there has been a continuity of thrilling contests witnessed at Alexandra Park. While acquiescing in the opinion expressed regarding the situation in the South, “Abaydos” fancies there is ample room for both codes throughout the Dominion. Apart from the extra journeys contested by the trotting candidates, the improved facilities ter conducting light-harness functions, the increased attractiveness of the programmes. and the raising of the standard of the contestants by importing the best possible light-harness blood into the Dominion, has played a tremendous part in popularising the sport. During recent years trotting aas advanced by leaps and bounds. and followers of the pastime are given the opportunity in this country of witnessing contests equal to anything staged in any part of the world. With improved tracks, and horses of the highest grade, the tests of speed and stamina taking place at many centres in the Dominion are little short of world’s championship degree. Reciprocal Spirit Again, in many parts of the other island, country racing clubs owe a good measure of the success of their functions to the assistance derived from the light-harness fraternity. The trotting events placed on many programmes attract large entries and acceptances, create keen speculation, and generally provide speculators with interesting contests. Wherever the two issues are linked together, the best of harmony prevails between the followers and promoters of each branch of the sport While racing clubs appreciate the support and assistance of the light-har-ness people, the latter welcome the opportunities afforded of securing the additional items. While the true sporting and reciprocal spirit is maintained, there should be no danger of the or.e sport overriding the other. TROTTING FIXTURES August 9. 13, 15—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. August 30, September I—Auckland T.C. tßelief Fixture) September 6—New Brighton T.C. October 4—Methven T.C. October 11 Waikato T.C. October 18—Northland T.C. October 25 and 27—Greymouth T.C. October 25 and 27—Auckland T.C. October 27—Oamaru T.C. November 11. 13. 14—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. November 22, 26—Otahuhu T.C. December 27, 3i>. 31—Auckland T.C.