THE METROPOLITAN TROTTING MEETING.

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 50

THE METROPOLITAN TROTTING MEETING.

Judging by the splendid attend'an "s which were present on each day of the Metropolitan trotting meeting at the Addington Grounds the interest taken m th« sport is waxing rather than waning m popularity. Even when the -weather was by no means inviting a gamp-ed end goloshed crowd stamped Ihrough the mad and water in a manner which proved that when it is beat on making a duty cf pleasure it is not absolutely necessary _ for a summer sun to be continuously shining. The growth of the popularity of trotting in this colony has been remarkable, as it seems but yesterday that the nine-minute horse was a thing to be^ marvelled at. Now we have trotters which show the quality of a thoroughbred, and can go almost as last as the runners, whilst our record-makers' achievements compare favourably with the best American times. High-class horses were more- plentiful than coirinoners during the three days of the meeting, but one thing which the writer regretted _ was the preponderance of the paoer, which is a mere racing machine, and whose utility as a roadster or a producer of roadsters is not to be compared with that of the trueactioned trotter. Several of the fields which were on the track in many oases were composed almost entirely of paoers, and there are ample indications that the trotter will become a rara avis if he is rot protected a bit. Since short races became popular the quick beginners were wanted, and the pacer, with all his more or less dangerous, and always unsightly, rigging, was selected to fill the breach, because he could strike his best gait quicker than the average trotter. If the racing of trotters and pacers was more of a sport and less of a business tho pacer would never be allowed to oust the trotter, whose gait _at least lias the merit of not having to be controlled by straps. _ Then, again, if racing is to ultimately improve our horses the trotting horse- should be catered for. and not allowed to be pushed iiito the background. Two or three faults were noticeable in an otherwise highly enjoyable meeting, and the nature of these faults were such as to almost .-uggest that the club uses two acts of rules. One was that a driver pulled out right in front of the stand to allow others to pass, and the carpeting which should have been administered if the club were consistent in, the control of its meetings was not bestowed. Little Doctor was deprived of the fruits of one of his wins because he went before his time, but after what should have been an unnecessary protest was lodged. If a club's officials are alive to their ability in many cases the onus of causing an inquiry to be held would' not rest on owners, who" frequently have strong objections to taking the initiative in such matters, as it often tends to create an ill-feeling which would not otherwise exist. It would be a pretty state of things if our police took no notice of a palpable fracture of the law until a. protest had been entered. In the second heat of the Free For All the driver of Elector cut in at the first turn right under the very noses of the stewards in a maner which was at once highly dangerous, and an impudent breach of rales and fair play. The driver in question by his tactics did! not win the heat, but he should undoubtedly have won official displeasure and a punishment or caution calculated to prevent a repetition of the offence, as a. club should be consistently fair to all in the administration of its rules.