CATERING FOR PUBLIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 280, 26 November 1931, Page 17

CATERING FOR PUBLIC.

In arranging for the sale of ten shillings totalisator tickets on the main grandstand in the enclosure at Epsom for the Christmas meeting, the committee of the Auckland Trotting Club has once more displayed an interest in its patrons,, which is commendable. ' During the present season the prices of admission to the course and enclosure have been reduced, a five shillings totalisator has been installed for outside patrons, and now, should the weather be wet next meeting, there will be no necessity for the ladies in their smart frocks to leave the grandstand if they wish to have a bet. "

WITH THE PACERS. At the Waikato meeting several .trottershave been nominated to compete againut pacers, and the reason is not far tc seek. It is the exception to fine' trotters winning against the hopplei" horses, but as there are no classes confined to our best square-gaitec' horses at Hamilton, owners are compelled to take on the pacers. The allowance provided under the handicapping system puts Roi Grande and Valloden on a 4.45 mark and Huon Voyage on 4.43. As the important events at the Auckland Cup meeting for straightout trotters are 4.40 classes, it will not injure the prospects of the horses mentioned sliQuld they win at Hamilton.

ADDITIONS TO STAND. It lias Jong since been recognised that the accommodation provided on the members' stand at Alexandra Park was insufficient, and a couple of years back the committee of the Auckland Trotting Club considered and approved of an entirely new stand to take the place of the one now doing duty. At that time trotting was going ahead by leaps and bounds, and no one for a moment thought that a slump was approaching. Fortunately the depression set in before the club had made a start with the stand and become involved in a big expenditure, and the work was held over. With no prospect of being able to erect a new stand for some years, the committee has decided upon the next best thing, and will carry out additions to the present building.

ACCEPTANCES TO-MORROW. A final reminder is given owners with horses entered for the Waikato meeting that acceptances for all events close tomorrow at 5 p.m. with the secretary, Mr. T. Gr. Reynolds, Hamilton, or Messrs. Blomfield . and Co., Auckland.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

INTERESTED —Your query asking the shortest time a trotter or pacer imported from Australia has taken to strike winning form cannot be answered with certainty, as no records are kept, but it can only be a matter of days. A few years ago, when Australian, trainers were bringing horses to Auckland for the "principal meetings; they would only arrive a week or ten days before the fixture, and many of them won. Minton' Derby was brought across and won the Auckland Trotting Cup, while for five years on end Australian horses paid hurried visits to- Aucki land and took the Otahuhu Cup. ( .-