WHIPPET RACING

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXV, Issue 12256, 20 February 1937, Page 2

WHIPPET RACING

EVENTS AT WEDNESDAY'S SHOW FIRST IX TAURANGA On Wednesday afternoon next the public of Tauranga will have their first opportunity of witnessing Whippet Racing and the A. and P. Executive are io ho commended in initiating this sport in the town. A course of about ISO yards has been prepared outside the horse ring at the Judea Showgrounds, with the winning post in front of the .terraces. The racing distance is 150 yards, the track for each competitor being taped off. "Where there are more than four starters the events will be run in heats and first and second place-getters qualify for the final. The whippets wear distinguishing covers —red, blue, green and white — and some idea of the speed at which they travel may be judged by the fact that with the “colours up” the 150 yards is often covered in 9 secs, from a standing start, and that a whippet can concede a good sprinter 40 yards start in 10 0 yards. * The racing will be under the auspices of the Otahuhu Whippet Racing Club, which club adheres to the following system of handicapping: There is a limit of 15 yards start; when a dog wins he goes hack 3yds.; when a dog runs second he goes back lyd.; and when a dog runs unplaced he advances lyd. until he reaches the limit, 15yds. Thus every dog is handicapped on performances. The following are the starters for the chief events, with the probable handicaps (these may be altered by to-day’s races at Otahuhu):

Open Handicap (for'a Cup donated by Mr IT. E. Olding).—lst Heat: Mr W. -Dver’s Gold Peter, 51yds.; Mr Handley’s Peterette, 7yds.; Mr F. Bickers’ Sir Roger, 9yds.; Mr Niepier’s Popular Dick, 15yds. 2nd Heat: Mr Handley’s Master Goldmine, 7yds.; Mr Means’ Royal Duke, 9 1 yds.; Mr Dyer’s Reamer’s Lass, 11yds,; Mrs F. Bickers’ Ladybird, 15 yds. Open Hurdles. —Mr Means’ Royal Duke, 11yds.; Mr Bickers’ Sir Roger, 12yds.; "Mr Dyer’s Rbamer’s Lass, 15yds.

Nursery Handicap, for pups under 6 months.— Mr C. Davison’s entry and Mr Bickers’ trio.

All the Auckland dogs are in good form and very close and exciting finishes are assured. Royal Duke is one of the oest hurdle dogs in New Zealand and show patrons should not miss seeing him perform over the “battens.”