WANGANUI TROTTING CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 49, 26 February 1916, Page 10

WANGANUI TROTTING CLUB.

THE ANNUAL'MEETING, AUCKLAND-OWNED HOESES - WIN. 1 [(Special to "Star.") ''~ ' ■ WANGANUI, Friday. The Wangajiui Trotting Club's annual meeting opened on the Wanganui Jockey Club's course to-day in fine weather, and with a good attendance. The racing took place on the training track on the inside of the course, which very rough, and not at all suitable for an eveu gaited pacer. The officials can hardly be congratulated on their management of the day's sport, for, although only seven races were on the citrd, the programme was allowed to drag until it was just over an hour behind the advertised time that the last event was started, which is altogether unreasonable. That clubs should be allowed to delay the starting of races to such an extent "for the benefit of the machine is not easy to understand, and it is really time that the New Zealand Trotting Association, or some higher authority, took a firm stand in the matter, in which the Wanganui Trotting Club is not alone, although other clubs have not transgressed to the same extent. This practice is probably the greatest blot in connection w.ith the sport as at present conducted. If -soino action is not taken, and that yon' soon, perhaps someone will be found introducing legislation placing further restriction on the use of the machine, which clubs would do well to avoid. THE TOTALISATOR. Speculation was brisk, and with every opportunity given for investment the sum of £10,384 was passed through the machine, as against £f),459, which is an increase of £915 on the first day last year. AX AUCKLAND VICTORY. The nine acceptors went to the post for the opening event, the Maiden Handicap, the Auckland-owned colt Arda-th finishing up an odds-on favourite; Rose Gauntlet, Tim Doolan and Bushchild, the lastnamed pair also hailing from Auckland, getting the most support of the others. The favourite began badly, interfering with Bushcliild, Blackford, and Rose Gauntlet, but soon struck a gait, and, getting in front half a mile from home, stalled off a strong challenge by Rose Gauntlet, winch was somewhat unlucky, and won by two lengths. Tim Doolan mixed it at intervals, and was a hundred yards behind in third position, while Bnehchild never really settled down. ANOTHER AUCKLAND WIN. Red George was only withdrawal from the Morton Memorial Stakes, which left twelve to go to the post. Rexcordium was backed as if it was all over, carrying threp and α-lmlf times as much as Allwood Fashion, the only other to carry over a hundred pounds being Celtic, which just went over that figure. Maude H. made the early running, but crossing the top Allwood Fashion was on terms with Rexcordium, Manscenita, Sandrift and Myrtle Palm, while Miss Salisbury was gradually making up her ground. Once in the straight Allwood Fashion took charge, but broke badly. Then Manscenita was the leader, only to give way to Myrtle Palm. The latter looked to have the race won, when Lady Salisbury came with a phenomenal run on the!' outside, ? and -Myrtle Palm's' ruler. getting biistledi liis'"iri'6irrit'bi'bke',"lef{in'g the Auckland mare up to snatch a victory by a neck. Mariscenita was three lengths away, third, and then came Celtic and the favourite. The winner paid a good two-figure dividend. THE BIG RACE. Reggie Huon failed to come out for the Wanganui Cup, the big event, which punters picked as between two, St. Louis and Harold Devon, the pair carrying more than half the investments on the. machine, the only others to go over the three-figure mark being G«e Whiz, Beach Boy and Goodchild. Harold Devon refused to leave the mark until the field field were well on their journey, but put up a great performance in getting up third. Goodchild went out fast, with St. Louis as his nearest attendant, but the favourite was early beaten, and Beach Boy ran up second. Crossing the top the last time Harold Devon, Sceptic and Hora were bandy to the- leaders, butGoodchild easily held his advantage, eventually winning by eight lengths from Beach Boy, which was two lengths in front of Harold DWon, with Sceptic and Hora right up.

AUCKLANDERS UNLUCKY. - Miss SaEsbury, Tattler, Gladall, General Victor and Cottage Belle, were withdrawn from the Kirkwpod Handicap. The Auckland owned pair,, Springbok and Proud Moor, claimed most support, the former being a twenty pound better favourite, Grey .Wood 'being the only other to get anything like decent support. The latter soon had a break on the field, and passing the stand was out nearly a hundred yards in front of Proud Moor, which was slow to begin, and Paddy Lynd with Springbok, •which was also slow in settling to his work. Next Paddy Lynd broke badly, and Proud Moor set sail after the leader and got within four lengths when he struck himself and broke badly. Springbok running up third. Proud Moor settled down quickly, and -was within :i length of Grey Wood, but again struck himself and lost a certain victory, GreyWood drawing out and winning by cix lengths, with Springbok two lengths' away, third. Both the Aucklanders were unlucky. AN EASY WIX Tlie Auckland-owned horees Ardath, Bush Child and Tim Doolan came out again for the Gonville-Castlecliil Handicap, from which the withdrawals were ißelgana and BlackJord. blaster Theckla ■was backed -down to a short price, Tim Doolan and Xancy Patch being the only others to get anything like decent support. Tim Doolan began Well, but the trough track was against him, and he mixed it badly, soon losing his position, Ngairo running nip second, and very little of the journey had been covered before the race "was confined to the pair, if race it could he called, for Master iTheckla, was pulled up to almost a walk to win 'by a couple of lengths, with the third liorsc, Tattler, a furlong away. It was a race over which some questions m:ght have been asked, but no actioii was taken. The band, however, played a slow dirge frnita'ble to the occasion. THE FAVOURITE BEATEN. Gladall was thn only withdrawal from the President's Handicap,'for which Lady Patricia- was sent out a strong order, just on sixty pounds better backed than Proud Moor, with a little money for Todd Bells,-Sol and Monsoon. Both the favourites refused to settle down, and .Monebon wasi early" in the lead, till joined by Todd Bells in.the last round, and. the pair had a great battle, Todd Bells getting the verdict by a neck; with Hova a. dozen lengths away, third. THE a THIED AUCKLAND; VICTORY. '■ Aotearoa, Red George, St. Louis, Elma Boy and Albert Wallace were not .harnessed. iy)~ for the Bash H'cdiiap,