OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 96, 23 April 1940, Page 13

OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

WELLINGTON TROTS

NEAR RECORD TURNOVERS

(By "Ariki Toa.")

The Wellington Trotting Club's Centennial Autumn Meeting at Hutt Park last week brought to a conclusion the light-harness season at this end of the North Island, and no more successful term has been experienced by the club. The turnovers throughout the four meetings have been well above the average, and it is a tribute to the inner body of an energetic committee that the sport has made such rapid progress in Wellington during the past few years.

The programme committee has made a continued study of all available material before framing the limits for the respective classes, and it is worthy of note that it has always borne in mind the attracting of the best intermediate talent, without sacrificing the better-class horses. This policy has proved to the greatest advantage, and the president, secretary, and all officials deserve the highest credit for their efforts in popularising trotting in Wellington. BETTING FIGURES SOAR. The turnover last week, £57,802, is the second highest handled by the Hutt Park totalisator in the history of the sport, the total having been exceeded only last January, when £61,154 10s was put through. Again the £38,067 handled on Saturday is close to the day record of £40,701 of January, 1930. It is probable that the record figures would have been eclipsed had the weather last week been more favourable. When it is considered that it is only a few years back since the club was hard put to encourage sufficient competitors for win-and-place betting, the strong fields of last week were the more impressive, for on only one occasion during the two days were there not three place dividends. The club hoped to have an electric totalisator installed at last week's meeting,- but the difficulty in transport from England prevented its being on hand in time. However, it is understood that most of the plant has arrived, and there is every reason to anticipate that it will be installed for the September Meeting. An up-to-date totalisator would provide for the handling of a far greater range of investments, which naturally would tend towards increased turnovers.

The form throughout the carnival was of the highest calibre, and several horses caught the eye in regard to future possibilities. Two pacers in Jesse Owens and Smile Again won a double, and it is interesting to note that they performed this feat in the two principal handicaps. • A CUP PROSPECT. Jesse Owens w.as easily the outstanding pacer of the meeting, and it is doubtful if a better Cup prospect has been produced at the Park for some time. He was simply in a class by himself and was not required to do his best on either occasion, winning with his driver paying most attention to the fruitless challenges of the other competitors. He has now won at his last three appearances, and as he has previously proved himself in any kind of going he should continue to extend his winning record in suitable classes. He did not race until he was a five-year-old in the 1937-38 season owing to an injury earlier in his career, but like most of the stock of Adioo Guy he has improved with age. Smile Again is a full-sister to. a splendid performer in Grand Mogul; and her two winning displays last week created the impression that she would ultimately graduate to the tightest classes. She was required to reveal the utmost gameness to secure the verdict on Saturday, but she fought on very courageously. Of the remainder in the better classes Ned Worthy was perhaps the best, and he should make direct improvement with the experience and racing he has had this season. As far as speed was concerned. Millisle was outstanding in the trotting events, but as a betting medium he is a very risky proposition. His trouble appears to be in striking his gait at the start, but once on the journey there are few equal to stepping it out with him. However, he has done comparatively little racing, and when he acquires solidity he will work his way further back in the handicaps. The novices did not impress as above the ordinary, and in the improving classes Bronze Eagle was head and shoulders above the remainder.'He won in convincing style on Saturday after getting a Very interrupted passage early, and he looks the • most promising young horse in sight.