TROTTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17348, 20 December 1919, Page 11

TROTTING.

NOTES BY PICADOR,

THE STARTING QUESTION.

A strong condemnation of the time system of starting as in vogue at the New Zealand Metropolitan T.C. meetings was contained in the report of the chief stipendiary steward (Mr. T. H. Davey), which was submitted to the New Zealand Trotting Association at its meeting last week. These are his words:—" In previous reports I have considered it my duty to adversely comment upon the starting at the metropolitan meetings, and regret that once again I must respectfully suggest that the method employed is neither fair to the owners, the riders and drivers, the public, the starter, nor the handicapper. Mr. Norman and his assistants try their' best to secure equitable starts, but they cannot perform miracles, and the system simply offers a premium to competitors to anticipate their bells. Occasionally wrong-doers are punished, ■ but this cannot be any satisfaction to the owners or the public, who have supported the disqualified horses. At every meeting of the club stewards are called upon to inquire into cases of anticipating bells, and this season alone no fewer than seven riders and drivers have been fined for this offence. Last season eight were fined for similar misdemean- j ours, and I sincerely trust that something | will be done to remedy the present posi- j tion." The conflict of opinion regard- j ing the time system of handicapping and j that of the yard system is undoubtedly! a serious drawback, and so long as it con- j tinues the sport will suffer. Southern clubs cannot apparently be brought to see | the advantages of the yards system; j while,the North Island clubs display such enthusiasm for the yards system that their retaining the same can be apparently re-' garded m the light of a certainty, Some little time will probably elapse to find the yard system universally adopted in the Dominion; but this much can be said that it has a far better chance in that respect than the seconds system. AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB. Interest in trotting matters in Auckland has livened of late, and the track work at Epsom indicates that competition at the Auckland Trotting Club's Summer Meeting will be particularly keen. Already a number of visitors have put in. an appearance, and the contest for the Auckland Trotting Cup this day week promises to prove a worthy event. ■At time of -writing Hal Junior, who won two events at the recent Otahuhu meet-, ing, and Lord Rose, who showed up prominently at the spring meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club, are the ruling favourites, though several Southern visitors will carry the confidence of their connections. Colenut is a candidate likely to come in for a deal of attention before th 9 day, while Austurio, who is to be sent along to N. Cunningham to finally prepare for the stake, is bound to come into calculations on recent winning form at New Brighton. Norah Creina is a local candidate who has yet to show her best, while Capriccio and Moneymaker are Southerners who have both earned their rear marks. All things considered, there is every prospect of a spirited contest for the £1500 stake.

The Great Northern Derby is likely to note a fair field of three-year-olds in action for the classic honours, while all the minor events have filled well. The track work at Epsom during the coming week will attract a large number of enthusiasts. AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB.

ACCEPTANCES FOR FIRST DAY. The acceptances received in connection with the Auckland Trotting Club's summer meeting, which opens at Alexandra Park on Saturday next, augur well for a highly successful gathering at the .Epsom ground. The following is a list of the acceptances received for the events that figure on the opening day's programme : —

INTRODUCTORY HANDICAP, of £200, one mile and a-half.— Roberts limit, Mintonette limit, King Edward limit, Luna Dillon limit, Lady Lonsdale limit, Sabiska limit, Bon Bon limit, Wild Nut limit, Nikora limit. Malmsbury limit, Maggie Girl limit Native King limit, Denistry 12yds behind, Welcome South 12yds behind, Wmhinepai 12yds behind, Timbrell 12yds behind, Rita Galindo 60yds behind, My Junior 60yds behind, Sandy Patch 84yds behind, Marble Hall 108 yds behind, Speculator 120 yds behind.

DECEMBER HANDICAP, of £200; one mile and a-half.—Mint Boy limit, Profiteer limit. Ngahere limit, Nita Bell limit. Onyx limit. Temple 12yds behind, Robert Dillon 12yds behind, Mykot 12yds behind, Ena Bell 24yds behind, Jewel Fashion 24yds behind, Treanac 24yds behind, Tim Wilkin 24yds behind, Albert Patch 36ydB behind, Camille 48yds behind.

AUCKLAND TROTTING CUP. of £1500. Two miles. Oruarangl N limit Whispering Willie Dillon Chimes limit 12yds bhd Whisht limit Dean Dillon Hal Jun. 12yds bhd 12yda bhd Norah Creina, Lord Rose J2yds bhd 24yds bhd Colennt 12yds bhd Asturio 36yda bhd Gold Girl 12yds bhd Capriccio 84yds bhd

ROWE HANDICAP, of £350; two miles. Bluewood limit, Lobster limit, Peter McMillan limit. Wonderland limit, Kirikiriroa 24yds behind, Overrate 36yds behind. Billy Parole 46yds behind, Rio Grande 60yds behind. Hint 96yds behind. Gold Boy 96yds behind, King Capitalist 144 yds behind. PARNELL HANDICAP, of £250; two miles.—Grattan Chimes limit, Lena Patch limit, Auckland Girl limit, Blackthorn 36yda behind, Gold Boy 36yds behind, Our Girl 48yds behind, Bronze Patch 60yds behind, King Capitalist 84yds behind.

GREAT NORTHERN HANDICAP, of £300; one mile. —Ramiiiari limit, Dandy Chimes limit. Prinzora limit, Comedy Chief 12yds behind. Trooper Dillon 12yds behind. Peter Mac 12yds behind. Bronze Patch 12yds behind. Dorothy Dimple 24yds behind. Asturio 36yds behind, Eccentric 60yds behind. ST. HELIERS HANDICAP, of £200; one' Bigamist limit, Lady Burlington limit, Leila Denver limit, Albert Patch limit. Mount Albert 12yds behind, Kempsey 12yds behind, Glen Mavis 24yds behind, Pearl d'Or 24ydB behind. Prize Pearl 24yds behind, Hymen 36yds behind. Kewpie 48yds Iwhind, Manuka Park 48yds behind, Huon Grattan 60yds behind.

GREAT NORTHERN DERBY, of £650. One mile and a-half.

H. F. Nicoll's ch f Lady Swithin. by St. Swithin —Lady Cherry A. C. Watson's b f Milda Pointer, by Logan Pointer—Milda J* Bryce's ch c Oratorio, by Wildwood Jun. —Jenny Lind . E. L Barnes' b f Onyx, by Logan Pointer

Cameos Edwards and Clarke's b f Leila Denver, by Denver Huon—Beulah G. C. C. Murphy's b c Puduma, by Dillon Bell —Lena Huon L J. Richards' b c Whakatane, by Waver Ley —Hen a C. J. Molloy's b g Guinea, by O.Y.M.—Royal Money C. 1.. Hill's blk c Wildwood Direct, by Wildwood Jun. —Annoyed.