CHAMPION TROTTER

Evening Star, Issue 23124, 25 November 1938, Page 5

CHAMPION TROTTER

PROPOSED VISIT TO DOMINION EXPENSE NOT JUSTIFIED (Pek United Pkess Association.} AUCKLAND, November 24. The committee of Christchurch sportsmen, which is endeavouring to secure the appearance of the champion American trotter Greyhound in a series of match races in New Zealand next year, approached the president of the Auckland Trotting Club (Mr E. G. Bridgens) regarding the project. The sum of £I,OOO was suggested as a contribution to the £12,500 guarantee which is stated to have been demanded on behalf of Greyhound’s owner. in commenting on the scheme, Mr Bridgens said that, although the appearance of Greyhound would give trotting enthusiasts great pleasure, they did not think the expense apparently involved would be justified, and for that reason the proposal for a guarantee was not favoured by the committee of the Auckland Club. Many American horses had been brought to the Dominion, but they had never been at their best after the trip. Greyhound was unlikely to prove the exception. The Auckland Trottnig Club was offered a match race with Lawn Derby in April, but tho American horse would first appear in Christchurch, and if he failed to race up to expectations, which Mr Bridgens thought was quite likely, the enthusiasm would have waned by the time he arrived in Auckland. • Similar sentiments were expressed by the secretary of the club (Mr A. G. Mahoe), who explained that the American tracks were much faster than those in Neiv Zealand, so that the possibility of Greyhound reproducing his record speed or anything like it was remote. Personally, said Mr Mabee, he would rather sec an offer made for a speed exhibition by Lawn Derby. Trotting in Auckland had been built up by exhibitions by the best Christchurch horses, and if the best class Australian horses could also be secured that policy was mote likely to be fruitful than the highly speculative and costly American venture.