TROTTING

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 250, 18 July 1931, Page 14

TROTTING

Conference Decisions NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “Overcheck.”) The position generally Is quiet these days in so far as the light-harness sport Is concerned, but with the approach of the August meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Club things will soon be brightening up, especially In the south. Handl oapplng. One of the main subjects discussed at the recent conference of trotting club delegates was that of handicapping. Several speakers urged that fixed penalties should be 'brought Into operation, but finally the following rule submitted by the conference executive was adopted:— “The table of penalties may be altered or added to from time to time as may be decided upon by the stipendiary stewards’ committee, who shall have power to make regulations incorporating such alterations and additions; and-also regulations dealing with any other matter in relation to handicapping. Such regulations shall, when signed by the president, and transmitted to the secretary of the conference, be notified In the Official Calendar, and shall thereafter be binding on all handicappers and other persons. Nothing contained, however. In the rule shall empower the stipendiary stewards’ committee to substitute for the method of handicapping by limitation of handicappers’ penalties to be applied to placed horses, any different method or system of handicapping.”

Lady Fan. Reports from the south indicate that Lady Fan, who was for some time trained locally, Is getting through some very useful work at Addington. Her form last season was not at all good, and she will need to show substantial improvement If she Is to pay her way next season, as wo now have a stronger lot of unhoppled trotters in commission than we have had for some time.

Two Stars, Two Wins. Sir Voyage is pleasing track watchers at Addington by the manner in which he is getting through the tasks allotted to him. He has started twice only since'coming to the Dominion, and has been successful on each occasion. He will be heavily supported when he is again produced in a race irrespective of the strength of the company that he may be racing against. El Direct was somewhat of a disappointment last season. He appears to do best with the weight on top, and in all probability will contest the saddle events at Addington In August. Colonial Boy, who is reported to be In fine order, is being given faster work, in view of the early approach of the Metropolitan Club's meeting next month. Training On.

Peterwah continues to progress satisfactorily in his training work at Addington, and It is to be trusted that his trainer will be successful in getting him back to his very best form. He will need to be In the pink if he Is to make a successful attack on the stake money, i Mountain Dell.

There is a possibility that the northern mare Mountain Dell may be found competing at Addington next month. She Is a very good sort, and she should be capable of acquitting herself well at Addington, where the dirt track should suit her.

Barrier Starting in Americn, The following extract from the "Horse Review” regarding barrier starting in America makes It appear that the system will become universal in the States:— "The total time that the horses spent at the post In thirty heats raced during the four days was but twenty-eight minutes. Think that over, and then argue that the barrier Is not here to stay. Less than thirty minutes required to send thirty heats away, while the average time each day required to send the horses away was but seven minutes and thirty-four seconds, with the average for the entire meeting being but one minute and thirty-three seconds per heat. Not infrequently, but at times almost a daily occurrence formerly at every track, it required from twenty to thirty minutes to send the field away under Hie old system. And. to top it off, here is something that we have never before seen at any race meeting anywhere —when the barrier was stretched across the track those In the stands Immediately rose to their feet, and did not take their attention off the field of horses until they were away, and then most of the spectators kept their feet until the heat was finished. The interest, snap aud pep were there, which it wasn't oftentimes under the old system. In but one-third of the heats raced wore the horses at the 'barrier longer than one minute per heat, which is not' only noteworthy, but astonishing, and to many will seem almost unbelievable; but nevertheless it Is true.” Mr. R. A. Armstrong.

Owing to illness. Mr. It. A. Armstrong, the president of the Wellington Trotting Club, was unable to attend the meetings of the New Zealand Trotting Conference and the New Zealand Trotting Association this year. At the meeting of the latter body a vote of sympathy was passed, and the hope expressed that Mr. Armstrong would soon be restored to health.. This hope is. I am sure, shared by all those interested In the sport for which Mr. Armstrong has worked so hard and done so much.