TROTTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21431, 4 September 1931, Page 13

TROTTING

By Sentinel.

The principal event on the Oamaru Trotting Club’s spring programme is the Oamaru Handicap of 500sovs, 4.32 or better. Other events range in value from 140sovs to 250sovs. Two trotting events, with of lOOsovs each, figure on the South Canterbury Jockey Club's spring meeting. There is a wealth of material engaged in the New Zealand Trotting Derby ot 750sovs, to be run in 1933. No fewer than 120 youngsters have been nominated for the event. It is stated by one who is well versed in racing law that the Otago Hunt Club has not the power to change the Wingatui Trotting Handicap from harness to saddle or its position on the card. It that is so, there is something radically wrong with the powers held by the stewards. If unforeseen and extraordinary circumstances arise, the stewards should have full power to act as they think best. Prior to this season, according to Part IV, Rule I, “ the stewards of a race meeting shall have full power to make all such arrangements for the conduct of the race meeting as they shall think fit.” This authority appears to be concealed somewhere in the remodelled rules. Exactly the same wording is used in the Rules of Trotting, and hence it can be claimed that the stewards have practically unlimited power to act in such a manner as will contribute to the successful conduct of a meeting. Auckland reports state that Gold Jacket is progressing well in his preparation since being recommissioned some weeks ago, and is now beginning to thrive on more serious work. Supported by the New _ South Wales Trotting Progress Association, the Trotting League of Victoria recently cabled to the New Zealand Trotting Association protesting against the reimposition of handicap penalties on Australian horses exported to New Zealand. • ■ At Wildwood Farm on Monday, Wild Child foaled a filly to Native King, and though the youngster is not favoured by the weather conditions, it is said to be the most robust foal the mare has left. Wild Child is by Wildwood Jun. from Ladychild, so is a sister to Quiver, Hakari, and Plywood. Amongst others at Wildwood Farm expected to foal to Native-King at an early date are Winnipeg and Rosa Elmo, and the crack race mare, Waitaki- Girl, Grand Mnrnier has rejoined W. J. iomkinson’s stable after having been out m the paddock for several months. He was raced only once last season, that being at Rangiora on Labour Day, when he showed up well for a good part of the journey, only to fade out in the final pinch. Grand Marnier races in the same ownership aa Neeoro and Denver City. With the new handicapping systemnow in operation the suggestion may be offered (says the Press) to programme committees that classes should be arranged according to the penalties incurred. As the slowest mile and a-half race is a 3mm 45see class, and the compulsory penalty for winning that class is 48 yards, the winner is then on a 3min 41sec mark, but as the classes above 3min 45sec are usually a little faster than 3min 41sec that horse has to give away time to enter, so the policy of arranging classes that will enable a horse to graduate from one class to another and be on the front or near the. front without having to forfeit a second or so may he well, worthy of consideration. ~; ■ ’ ■