TROTTING BOOMING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 16

TROTTING BOOMING.

BIG PROGRESS MADE AT PERTH ATTRACTIVE CHRISTMAS CARMTVAL.

! XOTES FROM WEST AUSTRALIA. * The programmes for the Christmas carnival meetings in Western Australia been framed. There will be racing on four nights and a sum of a little over £5500 will be distributed in stakes. The pleasing feature is the tightening of the classes for the principal events. The W.A. Trotting Cup of last year was for the 2.20 class. For that t-o be decided on the night of December 28 only horsed holding money-getting records "of 2.19 or better will be eligible. The distance has been fixed at one mile and a-half, and the issue will be decided in qualifying heats and a final. A sum of £1500 has been set aside for this particular event, and of that amount £300 will go to heat winners. The City Handicap, the principal event on the first night, will be over one mile and a-quarter, and only horses classed at 2.18 may be entered. On the last night the principal race will be over two miles and the stake will be £500. To be eligible for this event horses must hold a win or a place record of 2.22. The carnival will be held on the new racecourse. The annual report and balance-sheet of the W.A. Trottinli Association submitted to members at a meeting on September 10 reveal a very satisfactory state of affairs. It is shown that a profit of close upon £SOOO was made from the

35 race meetings held, despite the fact that several times there were adverse weather conditions. There was an increase in the amount of stakes distributed, a sum of £31,815 being put out in that direction. It is promised that the new course will be opened in December. A clause reads: "Members will, no doubt, be gratified at the culmination of the association's efforts to establish a racecourse that, from the aspects of suitability of position, beauty of surround- J ings, solidity and ornateness of design and comfort for its patrons, will be second t-o none in the Commonwealth." Those who have visited the new grounds will agree that the claim made is moderate. There "is nothing more advanced in the world. The Fremautle Trotting Club opened t-heir second season on the night of August"3l. There was a record crowd, even though the weather was chilly, and the backers were pleased, for four of the races were won by favourites. The event for square-gaited horses was won by a twelve-year-old mare named Osterley Breeze, who started at odds on. She showed much improvement upon her previous performance, but the stewards,

after inquiry, accepted the explanation given by her owner-driver, Jack Simmons. A 17-year-old stallion in Lord Denver, who is by Denver Huon, ran away with one of the races, being quite Thrown into it. He was on a 2.28 mark, chough less than eighteen months ago he had got into a place when stepping at a 2.22J clip. Another old stager in Arthur's Pride (he is only a year younger than Lord Denver) took an event. A promising j-oung horse in Duke Derby was quite forgotten and he won in brilliant fashion. He returned a substantial dividend. The Fremantle course has been much improved and the I lighting is such that it is truly night made day. It looks as though the Fremantle Trotting Club will have a very prosperous season. Trotting on the Kalgoorlie-Boulder course was resumed when the annual racing carnival was held at the end of August and beginning of September. It was found that the whippet racing on the Saturday nights was too great a counter-attraction, but .the mid-week meetings drew good crowds. It is questionable whether the light harness sport will hold its position among the mining community, where every second man owns and races his whippet. In the country districts of Western Australia, though, trotting is booming. It is shown in the annual report of the executive of the association that 23 clubs are operating in various centres with great success, and that where trotting is established the galloping form of racing has .taken a back seat. The benefit to. the Government that accrues from tie conduct of trotting in Western Australia is shown -by the fact that from totalisator investments at 40 meetings held on tie Perth course during the season ended on July 31 last, no less than £23,766 was paid in taxation.

r NORTHLAND CLUB. PROGRAMME FOR OCTOBER MEETING. The programme drawn up" for the annual meeting of the Northland Trotting Club, to be held on October 19, and which will be found in another column, should be given close attention by owners. Nominations close on Friday next, and in the meantime owners can decide just which races will suit their teams. The prize-money distributed over the eight events reaches £1175, the biggest stake being £300, which is attached to the Northland Handicap. The events are: Dargaville Handicap of £100. limit 3.43, one mile and a-half; Whangarei Handicap of £100 (for trotters), limit 3.50, one mile and a-half; Northland Handicap of £300 (including case of cutlery), limit 4.42, two miles; Kawakawa Handicap of £125, limit 3.4. one mile and a-quarter; Waipu Handicap of £125, limifl 2.24. one mile; President's Handicap of £175 (for trotters), limit 4.58, two miles; Kaikohe Handicap (saddle) of £100, limit 2.24. one mile; Hikurangi Handicap of £150, limit 2.55. one mile and a-quarter. Nominations may be lodged with the secretary, Mr. A. *F. Thomson, Whangarei, or with Messrs. Blomfield and Co., High Street, Auckland, up till 5 p.m. on Friday next. OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB. OFFICERS APPOINTED. At a meeting of the committee of the Otahuhu Trotting Club the following officers were appointed: Hon. judge, Mr. E. V.' Sutherland; starter. Mr. J. Williamson: handicapper, Mr. C. E. Gcosman: clerk of scales. Mr. H. B. Massev; clerks of course, Messrs. A. Selby and W. S. Hirst; auditors, Messrs. Morris, Gyllies, Duncan and McClung; hon. surgeons, Dr. A. M. Grant, Dr. M. G. Pezaro, and Dr. W. N. Abbott; hon. veterinary surgeons. Dr. AY. C. Ring and Mr. A. McKenzie; official timekeeper. Mr. J. K. Dotig'.jis; hon. timekeepers. Messrs. J. Russell, G. Hodgson and G. S. Kohnj j official pony measurer, the secretary.