TROTTING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1291, 26 November 1896, Page 26

TROTTING.

WELLINGTON TROTTING- CLUB'S EXHIBITION SPRING- MEETING-.

The weather cm Tuesday was perfect for the Wellington Trotting Club's Spring Meeting at Miramar Park, and the attendance was very good, over 800 people being present. 'J he racing was throughout interesting, and the lields were fairly large. Tenshilling tickets were issued on tho totalisator, which was under the capable management of Mr F. Jones, of Nelson. A large amount of money was put through the machine. The largest dividend of the day was paid by J.H. in the Exhibition Handicap. J. 11. was scratched for the Trotting Club Handicap, and was evidently reserved for the Exhibition Handicap, which he won easily. There were protests, but a trotting meeting is never complete without them. There was some delay in getting the events off, the last two races being run almost in the dark. The enterprising proprietor of tho Kilbirnie Hotel ran a freo 'bus from the course to his hotel, and it was well patronised by thirsty souls. Mr R. Pollock, the energetic secretary, worked very hard to make the meeting a success, and deserves a word of praise. The -following are the results of the day's racing : Maiden Handicap (saddle), of 20 sovs ; second horse 2 sovb. Two miles. Whisper. 21seo ... ... ... ... ... 1 Miss Cant, Msec ... ... ... ... 2 Also started —Judge Retford, scr ; Carnage, 13sec ; Meet Her, 21sec ; Trilby, 21scc. Won easily. Time, Omin lsec. Dividend, 30s. Pony Handicap (harness), of 15 sovs. Two miles. Country Girl, 45sec ... ... 1 Silver Gfey, 17sec ... ... ... ... 2 Trio, 21aec ... ... ... ... ... 3 Also started—Jasper, 25sec ; Raven, 45sec; Darkv, 53sec. Won easily. Time, 6min 21 4-ssec- Dividend, 30s. Wellington Trotting Clue Handicap (saddle), of 50 sovs ; second horse, 5 sovs Two miles. Pakowhai, -iosec ... ... ... ... 1 Miss Cant, 45sec ... ... ... ... 2

Jersey, 20sec ... ... ... ... ... 3 Also started—Maud V., ~>sec ; Gazelle, 33sec ; Little Hero, SGsec ; Sailor Boy, 3959 C; Whisky, 45sec ; Mermaid, 45sec ; Comet, 45*ec ; Tussock, 50sec. Mermaid, who came with a strong Christchurch reputation, was installed a very hot favourite, but, trotting unkindly throughout, never flattered her backers once. Pakowhai won by a couple of lengths. The rider of Miss Cant entered a protest against the winner on the ground of jostling in the straight, which the stewards very properly dismissed. Time, smin 55sec. Dividend, .£3 17s.

Handicap Selling Trot (saddle), of 20 sovs. The winner to be sold immediately after the race, the proceeds to go to tho club. Two miles. Countess 11., 30sec ... ... ... ... 1 Other starters —Flossie, Msec ; Whisper, 14sec, having been penalised lOsec for a previous win ; Rover, 30see ; Darkie, 40sec ; and St. Julian, 40sec. Countess took tho lead almost immediately, and distanced her field. Time, smin 59 2-ssec. Dividend, JB3 lis. The winner was bought in for .£lO. Exhibition Handicap (harness), of SOsovs; second horse, 5 sovs. Two miles. Sailor Boy 11., 41sec ... ... 1 Eric, 24sec 2

Also started Kentucky Wilkes, scr; Little Ben, 20sec ; Waibinepai, 28sec ; Fragment, 24sec; Whisky, 57sec. The limit horse held his advantage until sweeping round the turn by Evans Bay, whore he broke, and the favourite, Waibinepai, who was making up her lost ground in capital style, got on terms, while at the same time Sailor Boy was getting nearer the loader. Shortly after the turn into tho straight Waibinepai, in passing Whisky, jammod the latter on the rails, with the result that Cheeseman, his driver, was thrown out of the sulky, and Whisky bolted with the sulky. Opposite tho lawn, the horse collided with a post, when he became detached from the vehicle, and was caught at the top of the straight. After the accident, Waibinepai came on and finished two or three lengths in front of Sailor Boy. Immediately on returning to the paddock Henry, the driver of Sailor Boy, entered a protest against Waibinepai on tho ground of both crossing his own horse and Whisky. After a lengthy enquiry tho stewards upbold the .protest and awarded tho stakes to Sailor Hoy, Eric receiving second money. Tho time for Waibinepai was smin 38isec. The dividend on Sailor Boy was £7. Cheeseman, the driver of Whisky was, fortunately, not injured, but sulky was considerably knocked about.

The Pony Handicap (saddle), of 20 sovs, two miles, was won by Ethel, who paid a dividend of £l. The Electric Handicap, of 30 sovs, one milo, was won by J.H. (3sec), Miss Cant (27sec) being second. The dividend was .£9 Gs.

The last race of the day, the Dash Handicap, of one mile, was won by Kentucky Wilkes from scratch, paying a dividend of £3.

The Club have decided to hold their Rummer Meeting on January 21st and 23rd,* at which jB-100 in stakes will be given.