TROTTING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23225, 24 June 1937, Page 15

TROTTING NOTES

By Sentinel Big Fields Big fields remain in the two lightharness races to be decided at the Ashburton meeting. Twenty-three remain in the Lyndhurst Trot and 27 in the Winchmore Trot. A Promising Pair The promising young pacers Jackaranda and Taruna figure amongst the acceptances for Ashburton. Jackaranda finished second in the Timaru Nursery Stakes, but developed a cold which caused an interruption in his preparation for the Sapling Stakes. Taruna was got by Frank Worthy from .Megan, a half-sister by Cathedral Chimes to Lindbergh. Methven Trotting Club At the annual meeting of members of the Methvew Trotting Club Mr S. G. Holmes was in the chair. The annual report said that another successful year had been experienced. The annual race meeting had been held on October 3. The nominations had totalled 193. against 188 for the previous year. The totalhsator had handled £16,646 10s, gate money had amounted to £358 15s. an increase of £BOIB 10s and £155 12s respectively on the previous year. The financial position was very satisfactory the year having commenced with a bank overdraft of £139 12s 3d and »-nded with a credit balance of £557 9s 7d It was decided to increase the stakes by £IOO for the next annual meeting. Sea Gift

Sea Gift developed a festered foot after her third to Rocks Ahead and Pot Luck in the President’s Handicap at Oamaru in May. She had to forgo her Forbury engagements, and was not able to take part at Ashburton or Addington. She has now recovered, and will be put into work in time to be ready for suitable classes at the August meeting at Addington. It is unfortunate that there are so few trotters available for a 3min 25sec class, one mile and a-half. A perusal of the list of trotters likely to race in August places the Programme Committee of the New Zealand Metropolitan Club in a precarious position. The club wishes to provide races for the best horses of both gaits, but according to information its officials have to hand (says the Star-Sun), it is doubtful if their intentions can be carried out at the August meeting. This means that Sea Gift will race among the pacers, and Trampfast will continue to enjoy the rich pasture at his owner’s place at Hinds. A Belated Protest

A somewhat belated protest by Mr A. E. Commons, stipendiary steward at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday, against the stake in the Mangere Handicap being awarded to

the winner, Charteris Bay, is likely to have a rather bad ending for the club and for backers of the second and fourth horses. When Charteris Bay finished racing last season he was on 3min 40sec for a mile and a-half; but (says the Press) after running second in the Farewell Handicap at Waikato last December he was transferred to line 7 which for mile and a-half horses is a 3min 39sec mark. This information was published in the official calendar and was available to the handicapper and the connections of the gelding. The matter has been referred to the New Zealand Trotting Association, and will probably be considered at a meeting in Wellington next month. A position on almost the same lines arose at the Methven Club’ 1 - meeting when De Soto won from his wrong mark. This was through no fault of the connections of the gelding, for the driver, J. Bryce, jun., had protested to the starter that the gelding had earned a 12 yards penalty or the mark off which he was previously set to start. The mistake was one of an official and the club had to pay for the mistake.