THE TROTTING SPORT.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20563, 3 June 1932, Page 4

THE TROTTING SPORT.

Racing on King's Birthday. A POPULAR AND PROGRESSIVE CLUB.

(By "MILES. s ')

\I7HILE "The Sport of Kings ' may be rightfully claimed by our galloping friends to apply to racing m which the thoroughbred is engaged, Canterbury celebrates the King's Birthday with a first-class Electing, in "which the standard-bred light harness horse provides the entertainment. The Canterbury Park Trotting Club, irith headquarters at Addington, provides some of the best sport in the South Island from year to year and eaters for purely local holiday crowds. Itß Summer Meeting held at New Year elashes with important North Island fixtures and consequently the racing is usually confined to Sonth Island horses and is supported only by South Island racegoers. Its King's Birthday fixtnre is not run in the face of counterattractions in the way of Race Meetings and the trotting enthusiast may concentrate on the one Meeting. At one time any club in New Zealand would have envied the Canterbury Park body its choice of racing dates, New Year and King's Birthday, but things have changed so much in the last . twenty years, that it is very questionable whether a public holiday confers any regl benefit on a Racing or Trotting Club. The very general nse of the motor-car has not assisted clubs, rather has it worked against their interests. Thirty years ago the average City man stayed in town and made the races the occasion for his day out. Now the motorear is used to take whole families to recreations away from the City. Not many years ago trotting at Addington defied all competition, and even the Bngby Union did not regard it as good business to clash with a trotting fixture. Now things are rather different. Twelve or thirteen years ago the Canterbury Park Club handled nearly

£90,000 in speculation on two days' racing. Any racing or trotting club in the whole of New Zealand would be pleased to show this record today. A Difficult Period. And though the extra attractions and the feeling of insecurity generally have resulted in decreased attendances, speculation, and stakes, it is only the confirmed pessimist who will declare that trotting is on the wane, or that the love of the New Zealander for a good horse is passing. The clubs have been forced to cut their stakes and expenses, just as the average man has had to revise his rate of living but when things brighten up again the stakes will advance and the backers will speculate with more freedom. All this makes no difference to the excitement and interest in the racing. Rather does it add to the keenness of owners and trainers to make every post a winning post and so offset the big expense that is continuously mounting in the shape of training accounts, nomination and acceptance fees, and the hundred and one other costs that the owner has to face. A very expensive business is the racing of a trotter or pacer and as one owner remarked: "At one time a good business would keep a few horses, but now the horses have to keep the business going." There is no lack i)f interest in the light-harness sport, and the smaller attendances and the less-spirited speculation are only indications of the general trend of things. At Addington this week the sport will be kept up to the highest traditions. The Canterbury Park Trotting Club has always been fortunate in the choice of its executive officers. It was not always a trotting club, for in the first instance it was formed a3 a coursing club. Later there came into existence the Plumpton Park Racing and Trotting Club, prominent officials including Mr R. J. Mason, whose death oc-

curred quite recently, Mr J. A. Holmes, still hale and hearty and still an official of the club, besides the present secretary, Mr A. I. Rattray. This club did not reign long, and there emerged a virile body known as the Canterbury Park Trotting Club, which for a number of years raced on its own course at Sockburn, and in 1922 took over its present headquarters at Addington. Mr A. I. Rattray lias held the position of secretary since the inception of the club and this in itself means that the different meetings are run with clockwork efficiency. Mr C. E. Cross, president, has had a long experience of the trotters, and up till recent years raced a number, including that good mare Bidens, with which he won many races. Prom all angles of the sport Mr Cross lias a wide view, and in racing, owning, and breeding, he knows the trials and tribulations of all who h ave adopted trotting as a recreation. Popular to a degree, Mr Cross fills the position of president as to the manner born, and visitors to Addington are always sure of a friendly welcome from the genial president. The members of the different committees are genuine workers in the interest of trotting and trotting enthusiasts, and fair and fearless in _ their deliberations on a question of suspicious running or corrupt practices. If ail trotting clubs possessed such experienced and conscientious workers as does the Canterbury Park Trotting Club the government and administration of the sport would be made a good deal easier. From Sockburn to Addington. I The days when the racing headquarters of the club were at Sockburn were days of prosperity, and there were occasions when the appointments were altogether too meagre to accommodate the huge crowds that attended meetings. The big mile track, part of which is still in use as a private trial ground, witnessed many sensational performances and such great horses as Cathedral Chimes, Admiral Wood, Author Dillon, and Matchlight fought their battles, and Reta Peter and Whispering Willie (especially the latter) delighted the crowds with exhibitions of unhoppled trotting. The Canterbury Park Club, owing to its comparatively meagre accommodation, had the choice of either going in for a big building and remodelling scheme or moving its quarters to entirely new surroundings. The course was over five miles out of town and the question of any very big expenditure of money had to be weighed carefully. Time, however, solved the problem, for the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club purchased a big , area of ground at Riccarton, which it was intended to make headquarters, and the quick-thinking business men of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club snapped the opportunity to secure control of the Addington course. The proposed track at Riccarton was never formed and the result is that while the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club still races at Addington, Canterbury Park holds control, the two clubs contributing toi wards its upkeep in ratio to the number of days' raeing held there. Canterbury Park Trotting Club appears to be in a very good position in this arrangement for of the thirteen days' racing held during the, twelve months it occupies the course on only four days.

King George Handicap. The big event on the programme for to-day's "Meeting is the King George Handicap. Previously known as the Princ-e of Wales Handicap, it was first run by the Canterbury Park Club in 1910, when it was worth 175 sovs, of no particular class, and was won by John M., a high-class pacer of his day, in 4.49 2-osee. He was trained and driven by his owner, Robert McMillan. Silver Princess won in 1911 for R. McDonnell in 4min 44sec, the race being for horses that could do 4min 48sec or better. In 1912 the raoe was renamed the King George Handicap, and increased to 225 sovs in value. It was won by H. T. Smith, with Prince Wilkin. Since then different winners have been as follows 1913—Piecework (J. Brankin), 4min 48see. 191-! Edith A. (T. Logan), 4min 53 2-ssee. 19.15—0ur Thorpe (A. Fleming), 4min 43sec. 1916 —Admiral Wood (J. Bryce), 4inin oosec. 1917—Oinako (R. W. Franks), 4min 40see. 1918—Cathedral Chimes (J. Bryce), 4miu 2ti 2-ssec. 1919 —Matchlight (J. Bryce), 4min 36 3-osec. j 192(1 —Stockade (A. Hendriksen), 4min 40, sec. 1921u-Willie Lincoln (J. N. Clarke), 4min 30 3-ssec. 1922—-Man o' War (J. Bryce), 4min 45 3-osec. 1923—Vi10 (O. E. Hooper), 4min 48 l-sscc. 1924—Whispering Willie (R. E. Mills), sniin lsec. 192-5 —Vilo (E. J. Smith), 4min 47 4-ssec. 1926--Waitaki Girl (J. Bryce), 4min 25see. 1927—Waitaki Girl (J. Bryce), 4min 45 4-ssec. "1928 —Waitaki Girl (J. Bryce), 4min 40 2-ssee. 1929—'Waitaki Girl (C. Akcr), 4min 27 4-osee. 1930 —Travis Axworthy (F. G. Holmes), 4min 24 4-s.sec. 1931—Vesuvius (V. Alborn), 4min 20 l-ssec. Waitaki Gir.l has a remarkable record in the race, having won it four times in succession, and J. Bryce has driven no fewer than seven winners. Many who like to imagine that certain drivers are lucky in certain races will have the opportunity again to support Bryce in to-day's race, when he will be behind Red Shadow, a son of Travis Axworthy, who won a couple of years back. Vesuvius, who was successful last year in 4min 20 l-ssec holds the time record for the race, but several of New Zealand's best, in Cathedra! Chimes. Man o' War, Matchlight, and Admiral Wood, have been successful. No comparison can bo made through the times registered as to the merits of the individual winners, for on many occasions adverse weather conditions have left the track - very heavy and quite unsuitable for fast time making. The field engaged in to-day's race is reasonably small, and very select, and witli the track in good order a most I exciting race can be looked for.. Red ' Shadow was tho early favourite, but

speedy trials by several and the confidence of trainers regarding others lias invested the race with a wide interest. When good class horses 'are pitted agaiust one another there is alwavs a diversity of opinion, and this will be shown to-day in the support accorded the different starters on the totalisator. An Attraction. Trotting enthusiasts who like to see the baby pacers m action will be afforded the opportunity to-day, when a two-year-old parade will be held immediately the King George Handicap has been decided. Besides a number of New Zealand Sapling Stakes candidates, that will be given a run, advantage of the opportunity will be taken by trainers to introduoe to the crowds ~ a number of juveniles that have no immediate engagements. The two-vear-old parade is a feature that should be encouraged at Meetings, and while the Canterbury Park Club is to be commended upon the attraction it is providing for the public, owners and trainers are equally appreciative of the chance it affords them to give their baby pacers some idea of the con-

ditions prevailing when their real business in life commences. •While at this week's meeting tho atiendance will not be so high as on many previous occasions the class of horses engaged is well up to standard, and numerically as strong as ever. Good fields and a good track should make possible high-class performances. Champions of Different Periods. In a discussion on champions of different periods the question of conditions under which records are made must always form the basis of argument, and while the modern athlete has faster tracks and better training

facilities and tlie galloper lias bowling green courses on which to register faster times than his predecessors, it is doubtful if any conditions have been so revolutionised as those under which the trotters and pacers are required to race in New Zealand. Thirty and forty years ago trotting occupied a very small share of the sportsman's attention, and racing was held in an environment that left much to be desired. Primitive arrangements in the way of handicapping, starting, judging, and even the totalisator made the sport something approaching a "free-for-all" for the unscrupulous, and naturally trotting was not in good favour. There came a time when men of standing saw a future in the sport and eet about its reformation with determination. The first move was to place the granting of permits in the hands of the New Zealand Trotting Association. Later still came the big course at Addington with appointments equal to the best in the world. A quick growing popularity rewarded the reformers, and the introduction or class-racing gave a further boost. There was still something missing, however, for the owner of a great horse was not enabled to get full value for the racing qualities of that horse under the style of handicapping then in operation. One performance in fast time on a fast track was calculated to find that horse handicapped out ot subsequent ' races, and there was a temptation for owners and trainers to "run a bye," excepting when weather and track conditions were against fast time making. The owners and trainers were not altogether to blame, for after a big outlay bad been made for a young horse it was anything but encouraging to find that horse very quickly on a mark from which success was impossible. Handicapping System Evolved. It was plain that something for the encouragement of those who provided the sport was necessary, and after a great deal of thought a system of handicapping was evolved and placed as a remit before delegates at the Annual Trotting Conference in WelliugtOn. A lot of spade-work was done by the Owners and Breeders' Association members and other keen trotting enthusiasts, but it was left to the president, Mr H. F. Nicoll, to make a truly brilliant and fighting appeal for a trial of the system, against the opposition of country club members who were hard to convince of the necessity of its introduction. A majority in favour was gained, and straight away the benefit of the system was acknowledged, even by those who had been wholly opposed- to such a "revolutionary measure." Gradually the system has been improved upon, and though, as in everything, there is room for further improvement, it can be said that the handicapping system is the greatest boon ever conferred upon trotting in New Zealand. Racing has been keener and owners have ceased to worry what fast times their horses may register in the knowledge that only a cer- ■ tain penalty can be imposed. A champion can go through the maiden classes, gradually rising till he gets amongst the top-notchers, but it is surprising to find how hard he has to battle in any class of race in which he is engaged.

There are alwavs other o'wners with other "good horses. Faster times and keener racing have resulted-Tighter-class racing has also had a good deal to do with better contests nowadays, and the fact that horses can be kept in their classes and not asked to give away impossible starts always gives the real champion a reasonable chance of success. In the days of long ago no class was stipulated, and if a poor performer and a champion were engaged in a race then the basis was formed on the ability of the tenth-rater and the champion was asked to give away up to half a minute's start. The basis of the present handicap is set, and if a 4min 40see horse is entered in a 4min 30sec class race, then he takes his place on the 4min 30sec mark, the really good horses thus being afforded protection. And so the time limits of races were evolved. In the days of Monte Carlo and Company long starts were the order of the day, and in many, of their best class races Author Dillon and Great Bingen, Cathedral Chimes, and Sheik were asked to concede a lot more than are the champions of to-day. The champion of the present" day is a well-treated horse compared with the old-timers, and provided he is kept to his right classes he always has a winning chance. Smaller Fields—Better Racing. Smaller fields give the horses of today better opportunities of winning, and the prospect of having to go round huge fields in the good-class races do not often enter into a driver's difficulties. The tracks are now as fast as any in the world, and new handicapping systems, modern training methods, shoeing, feeding, etc., have enabled horses to attain a speed that was undreamt of a few short years ago. And yet in the face of the abnormally changed conditions in racing, training, and tracks there will always arise the contention of one against another concerning the best horse we have known. Each man is entitled to his own opinion and the average trotting man will advance what appear to be convincing arguments on the merits of any particular horse he favours. We are fast getting away from the idea that time alone is the proof of a horse's greatness, but if this were the only basis of the argument then Harold Logan 4min 13 2-ssee would be regarded as the outstanding performer in New Zealand of all time, and far ahead of any other. Horses that claim armies of admirers include Author Dillon, Great Bingen, Cathedral Chimes, Admiral Wood, Peter Bingen, Ahuriri, and Our Thorpe, and a keen study of performances and conditions under which they were made, leaves one with a fervent admiration for every one, and yet open to be convinced that there is one outstanding performer of all time. Harold Logan is probably the most brilliant of those mentioned (but possibly Native Chief and Acron were just as good). Author Dillon was the most popular horse ever on a racecourse in New Zealand and by Harold Dillon he came from a great family on his dam's side, for he was a grandson of Thelma, a good race mare who left amongst others Wildwood Jun., and a big number of colts and fillies that raced well and bred on. Cathedral Chimes, by

Four Chimes, is from a mare »W blood lines are rather obscure but*, was a true and tried performer' (one!* the greatest) and lie left amonmtotW Ahuriri. Great Bingen, a son of N? son Bingen and Bertha Bell, is bred fan* American aristocracy, and jg a brother to Peter Bingen. Admiral %»S was by the New Zealand Cnn win,?? Wildwood Jun., from thoroughbred blood figured in his gree as it does in many of our {w? • class pacers. Each of these horses trill hare « ■ army of admirers, who ■will contend 4 he is the greatest ever, but while Logan is credited -with a place reeort of 4min 13 2-ssec, and a mile and* quarter in. 2miu 39sec, and Great Bis! gen's best is 4min 19 2-ssec rerirtend twice and 2min 40 2-usec, over shorter journey, as a brilliant sprint* and a true and tried stayer, the wrfS will plump for Great Bingen as greatest of them all. Period of Good Horses. Great Bingen, figuratively Bpeakijw. | was up against it from the start, was foaled in a year that -was respoa, sible for more champion r.l««a paegg than any other year the -writer ea remember, for amongst those that fiat saw the light of day in 1919, Prince Pointer, Ahuriri, Logan Chfol Acron. Bonny Logan, Harold Thorn? . Jack Potts, Padlock, Queen's Own,aQ Waitaki Girl, while amongst other «r*4 ones opposed him in his races inn Sheik, Native Chief, Nelson Defy Onyx, Peterwah, and Imprint, just £ mention a few. He raced in days nlgg the limits were still fairly uj his best performances wyre regiatcrtj when he was set apparently hopelja tasks. Twice he registered sees for two miles and he is th# cnlt horse in New Zealand, to win cff» 4min 21see mark over two miles. Hjj sensational performance was made «t the occasion of the Duke of York's some years ago, and as Great Son ■was set to give away 108 yardsiaj 4min 30see class the merit of his & fort will be realised. This represent about the greatest performanee«Ter hi corded in New Zealand, and the ! ner finished in a manner that pnnt) him a really great stayer. His 19 2-ssee in the New Zealand and Awfc land Cups, and his 4min Slsee York Handicap, his 2min 4 4-ssee fort mile, 3min 16see for a mile and a iULK and 2min 40 2-ssec for a sa?** quarter, and numerous other great #1 forts stamp the son of Kelson Binm as the greatest, and like all tone - pions he was quite at home on holding going. He ha£ a ing temperament, and the fijf fjob he had on hand the better he Ehl it. Great Bingen was a horse of Jnfcf constitution, and no amount of-iroi£<re|i fected him, while he was at t times in various stables, and fgs trainer in turn he showed.*3--* more speed. ' v""*, & Great Bingen had eveiyflceg-jarJML make-up. that marked horse. He had good unwind a terrific bant stage of a race, was in his f a do-or-die finish and haidxMfag fected him but little. pion in a time of great