TROTTING

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 220, 15 August 1927, Page 10

TROTTING

WELLINGTON MEETING IN SEPTEMBER^ Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 14'. The committee of the Wellington Trotting Club met on Saturday evening to consider the expressed wish of the Owners’ and Breeders’ Association for a trotting meeting in the month of September. The club originally intended racing on October Ist, but to meet the wishes and also avoid clashing with the North versus South football match on that date it decided to alter the trotting races to Saturday, September 17tli. While at Christchurch last week the president interviewed owners and trainers of cup horses regarding tho provision of a fast mile and a-quarter rjice with the result that he felt encouraged to recommend the inclusion of this event in the programme. He was also informed by the handicapper that no penalty would bo incurred for the New Zealand Cup by a successful competitor. This event the club decided to include, a 2.46 miles and a-quarter named the New Zealand Cup Trial Handicap, with a stake of £325, as trainers and owners have for years expressed a wish that they had a race for their cup candidates as part of their middle period preparation. Its success and future consideration for this provision will rest entirely with tlie. response . shown bv_ them. Of course other horses are eligible outside cup candidates, but the club has taken this progressive step to meet what is claimed to he a long-felt want. Straight-out trotters are catered for by the inclusion of a 3-36 mile and a-half and 4.48 two miles. The question of making the mile and a-half event of a slower class was fully discussed, but it was considered that slower class trotters would not be ready so early in tho season. The club, however, will not overlook the claims of the slower class at its December meeting. Hon. R. F. Bollard’s friendly interest in and great service to the sport was recognised by naming the principal two-mile handicap after tho Minister. This event is for horses who can do 4.38 or better. . A mile saddle event for the 2.18 class is included and as saddle races are gradually disappearing from trotting programmes no doubt owners will avail themselves of this opportunity. There is the usual novice event with a 3.45 limit, while improving pacers will have two events in a 3-36 mile and a-half and a 4.50 two miles.