CHANGE OF TASTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 189, 12 August 1938, Page 12

CHANGE OF TASTE.

KOTICEABLE UT AMERICA. " I HANDICAPS NOW POPULAR. It has taken American trotting folk a long time to realise the attractions of trotting on system; but apparently this form of racing now appeals as much as any other. It is now realised that a horse of the Greyhound class might win a long series of races and discourage competition, and, except for exhibition purposes, he w no longer wanted by a number of trotting associations. Trotting on the handicap basis is now well established in America, and in the "Horseman" of June 15 appears the following: "One thing that has been noticeable this'year with regard to handicaps is the change of opinion towards them that the horsemen have taken It »s no secret that handicaps have had a , row 40 hoe and have been bitterly opposed in a good many quarters. But at Berea trainers could be seen coming into the race secretary's , f® . ae * c,n ff for both handicaps and the claiming events. Practically all the outstanding races at Berea were the battles that took place in the handicaps, for they never failed to produce -n- a stirrin " contest, and were thrilling events to watch." Apparently, there is a verv decided change in the views of American trotting folk who, a few years ago, concentrated on straight-out classic races or attempts on mile records. Two-Minute Trotters. New Zealand has not yet produced the two-mmute trotter, although Indianapolis got to within range of L oTo - fi/ures when he paced a mile • iT"?-~j°'- !' st ow far the Dominion is behind in the records may be realised r!TV 16 , statcd that Peter Manning did better than two minutes 15 times. , was while Grevhound. 1.06, did the standard 11 times. * Uhlan l.» 8, trotted in better than two minutes six times, and Lee Axworthy five times In pacing the record* are held bv Dan Fatch, 1.55}, with 30 records in two minutes or better, while Single G 11 Cardinal Prince eight. Directum I. eijrht.' and Minor Heir eight follow in that order. R. B. Plaxico's Success. R. B. Plaxieo, who spent some time in Canterbury a few years ago. is still carrying on with trotting in America, and at the Berea meeting he appears to have had two very good wins with Bunter Hanover, who won a 300 dollars' : stake, and paid a good double-figure ; price, and Widow Volo, who. giving I away 80 feet, won a heat of a Handi" i cap Pace worth 300 dollars. Again the 1 dividend was a good one. <