TROTTING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22999, 30 September 1936, Page 13

TROTTING NOTES

By Sentinel The Methven Meeting: Judging by the excellent acceptances received for the Methven Trotting Club’s meeting another successful gathering seems to be assured. Narrow Track More than one owner who was prepared to back his horse in the trots at Geraldine meeting (says the Timaru Herald) kept his money in his pocket when he saw the draw for barrier positions. Morello Morello is now six years old. He did not gain a place in 12 starts last season. He went 3min 19sec in his last win scored at Ashburton in 1935 following a win in 2min 47 2-ssec at Forbury Park. Morello is on the front in two races at Methven. Getting Strict Action by the stewards of the New South Wales Trotting Club at a recent meeting at Harold Park may be interpreted that they intend to apply strictly the penalties which attach to interference in races. Four drivers met with the displeasure of the stewards, three for causing interference during their races, and the other for failing to weigh-in after finishing third. Each was suspended from driving in races for two months. Pay, Pay, Pay In a comment on the rates of pay drivers, a well-known owner, who knows what he is talking about, states that the reinsmen are the only ones making money out of the game. It seems to be easy money to take hold of the lines, and, after saying “ Gee up. neddy,” go and collect a couple of sovs. If the horse doesn’t gee up one only has to be blamed for having bad horses. A Producing Strain A writer in an exchange has compiled statistics showing that Logan Pointer mares last season produced the winners of £17,129 in stakes, Wildwood Junior mares the winners of £7185. Harold. Dillon mares £5030, Great Audubon mares £4032, and Nelson Bingen mares £3562. Logan Pointer has been the leading brood-mare sire for several years, and among his daughters’ produce who were prominent on the race track last season were Grand Mogul. Graham Direct, Llewellyn's Pride, Supertax, Hey Spec, Cloudy Range, Southern Smile, King’s Guide, Southern Chief, Village Guy, Colene Parrish. Ace Pot. Frisco Boy Frisco Lady, Navy Blue, Avernus, Doubt Doris Derby Plutus. Lady Fame, Kingcraft. Real Pal, Broughshane, Bay Flier. Blair Athol, Gaillard, Silver de Oro. Slippery Sam, Marie Louise, Solario. Peter Silk, Carrageen, Ironside. M'Glusky, Ideal, and Trevor de Oro. A Sensitive Market If one reads “ between the lines,” the following makes interesting reading:—"The second division of the President’s Unhoppled Handicap at Harold Park emphasised the sensitiveness of the betting on trotting races. With General Lulu favburite for the race backers and bookmakers alike eagerly awaited a lead, to the chances of Wallawill, who mostly was quoted at 5 to 2. When this lead had not come a little more than five minutes before of the race. General Lulu firmed to 6 to 4. Wallawill remaining at his former quotation. Then the favourite gradually receded to 2

to 1, and, with only a minute or so to go, parties suddenly considered they had found the correct information concerning Wallawill, whom bookmakers were then quoting at 3 to 1. Many backers tried to support Wallawill, but, with no further time to wager, bookmakers were not to be caught, and, with little business written about the horse, he became a firm favourite at 6 to 4. some bookmakers offering even shorter quotations. Wallawill lost all chance when he broke shortly after the start and again later, and took no part in the finish. Every fancied horse was similarly affected, and outsiders filled the places. M’Hilder looked a winner two furlongs from the finish when she took the lead, but Lady Talisman beat her by half a length, with Prince Don third. A Big Mistake

In making the Dominion Handicap a 4min 38sec class the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has made a big mistake according to the views expressed by a number of keen followers of the light-harness sport. The Dominion Handicap is supposed to provide a battle between the champion trotters, and any horse that cannot do better than 4min 38sec for two miles can hardly be regarded in the championship class. The excuse is made (says the Press trotting scribe) that a more restricted limit would eliminate from the contest a number of trotters, and this would probably be the best thing that could happen. The Metropolitan Club is surely not asking for a big nomination in the hope that owners will supply a good proportion of the prize money, for this club is in a position that justifies the offer of a big stake even if the field is small. A lesson could be taken from the Ashburton Trotting Club, which not only introduced the Champion Stakes with only a small field probable, but also § laced on its programme the All-Aged takes, which, at the outset practically doomed to failure, turned out to be one of the greatest successes in the history of the club. The idea that big fields make good racing is a fallacy that has been exploded, and the spectacle of a field strung out half the length of the course merely brings the light-harness sport into ridicule. A bold, progressive policy even with risks must be undertaken. If the Dominion Handicap resulted in a loss of £3oo—and there is no possibility of this—then the rigid tightening of the class would be justified. The class of a race, which is supposed to be for champion trotters, should not be extended to let in moderate performers. The provision made for unhoppled trotters is very small and gives owners and trainers little encouragement to refrain from introducing the hopples. Unless more consideration is shown to the free-legged horses the New Zealand Trotting .Association or the president of the conference may in duty bound be forced to introduce to conference a remit which will compel clubs to cater for trotters as the public wishes them to be catered for.