TROTTING AT HAWERA

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 22 April 1935, Page 4

TROTTING AT HAWERA

GATES AND “TOTE” INCREASE PUBLIC SHOW. GOOD JUDGMENT FAVOURITE'S WIN MOST EVENTS

Favoured by ideal weather, the fiist day of the Hawcra Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday drew the biggest attendance for some years, the gate takings showing an increase of £IOO compared with the corresponding daj of last year. The totalisator handled £SSSO, an increase of £1602 on the first;, day of last year. The returns from the gates were the highest since 1931. From all aspects the first day was a success. The fields were large, and in all eases two dividends were paid on each machine, while in some instances three dividends were paid out to supporters of the place machine. Except for one hold-up during the day owing to a protracted inquiry, everything was run according to schedule. The secretary, Mr 11. E. Robinson, and his staff, together with the stewards, did everything that could be done for the convenience of patrons. The totalisator barometer was in use as it was dqring the Racing Club s meeting, and proved "to bo an object of interest to many. The public was generally not far out in sorting out the winners, for cither first or second favourite won every event. Dividends for winners and seconds were, on the whole, small, but one or two paid a good price for running into third place. Six of the first day’s winners were South Island horses, but this was probably only to be expected, as there was a largo contingent from that quarter. C. S. Donald, who did so well last year, did not figure so prominently on Saturday, although his horses ivcre invariably w'ell supported. In practically every case the finsh was a close one, on occasions the verdict being gained by a head or a similar distance.

Considerable interest, and at the finish, even enthusiasm was evinced in tho meeting of Harold Logan and Impromptu, in a special match race. The pair fought out a magnificent finish, the verdict going to the Hamiltonowned and trained Impromptu by a bare head. The pair ran the mile in 2.9 4-5. At the conclusion of the race, Mr C. Moran, the owner of Impromptu, was presented with a set of crystal goblets and water jug by the president of the club, Mr B. McCarthy, who paid a tribute ’to the sportsmanship of both owners in providing the means for such a splendid exhibition of trotting. The cup donated by the president to the winner of the Hawera Cup was afterwards presented to Mr L. F. Berkett, the owner of Plain Pearl, by Mrs McCarthy, following the congratulations which had been extended by the president.

During the day a programme of music was supplied by the Hawera Municipal Band under the conductorship of Lieut. H. C. A. Fox.