TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3114, 19 November 1913, Page 37

TALK OF THE DAY.

By Sentinel

THE LIGHT-HARNESS SPORT. Rating thoroughbreds has been lubbed the sport of kings, and, obviously, of other folk not cf the kingly mein or methods, which sentiment grants those horn in the purple. Let that, however, l>e as :t may. there is not much doubt light harness racing is the sport ot the people m their multitude. So much is evident by the fact that light-harness racing has forged ahead without the assistance of monied men such as. are identified with the thoroughbreds. It grew to its strength under the wing of racing, but has now attained such great vitality as to become a rival where it stood formerly as only a poor relation. Lightharness racing has been classed as a “poor man’s” sport ; but, like the parent pastime, it can make rich men poor and poor men rich, and both, again, have the common trait of elevating men into prominence who. minus a connection with racing of either branch, would probably be very small fry in the stream of life. Both sports give chances to men whom fores of circumstances denied opportunity of being born witli a silver spoon in their mouth, and. in consc(picrice. many of those prominent in the racing world won their way by natural ability and cleverness. All the more honour to them if their ability flows along on lines winning approval and applause from those who patronise sport. There is a wider field for the average horse-lover in the lightha rncss branch of racing. Many people can take an active part in it that could not do so in flat racing. Its wide-spreading appeal, backed by the great factor that the public see far more for their money on trotting tracks than they do on a racecourse, was the lover which hosted trotting into the popularity it has been enjoying for the past few years, it is not so very long ago that trotting was by no means in high favour with the sporting public, who fought shy simply because they were rather dubious about getting a run for their money. Once the idea was gathered that they could get a fairly good run. the public simply stuffed money into the totaksator, and thus wo see the really good trotting tracks and the splendid appointments that exist, to-day. It is fairly obvious that the apex of success is by no means yet reached. The right sort of catering for owners, capable officials supplying a fair chance to everyone, clean sport, and a good run for their money will so 0 the public send light-harness racing further and further ahead.

A LOST OPPORTUNITY. The N.Z.M. Trotting Club lost ii golden opportunity when they did not grusp the chance to put up a free-for-all or purse for the cream of the light-harness Jtorses that were engaged at their spring meeting. It would have probably been advisable to coniine the race to half a dozen or so in order that it should not he spoilt by an unwieldy hold. This could have been achieved by the dub hanging up it purse of ICOOsovs for such, as Denver Huon, Emmeline, King Cole, Albert 11.. Ravensehild, and \soniothing deemed capable of going around a. 4.30 gait, such as Calm is supposed to exhibit. it would undoubtedly prove one of the greatest drawing cards that could be put out on a light-harness programme, and sure to attract an attendance likely to overpark the course. What a race the above lot would put up over a mile and a-half! Such an event would do far more good for the sport than many races of the New Zealand Cup Handicap or 2000sovs order, which attracts both grain and chaff, and, by being a mixture, fails to show the genuine article in its real light, fn America the cracks gather appearance money when they have reached marks around records, ami they go against the wateli in order to show patrons of the sport an exhibition of a high-class horse at speed. In this country the cracks are forced into retirement by the system of handicap races, which give the back-markers less chance, in fact, than they have on paper. Surely tbe sport is now rich enough to provide races which would he on a par with the w.f.a. events amongst the thoroughbreds. Under the present system the public is lucky to sec such horses as Emmeline, Denver Huon, and King Colo in action, as it :s almost impossible to get through the fields that wore in front of them last week, and it will continue to remain so under existing circumstances. The Metropolitan Club up to date lias been apparently too solicitous of the cash and business side of the sport. No race appears to get on their programme unless it looks safe as a business proposition, and it is asked in vain, Where are their classic events? i he honour of the classic belongs to one of the superfluous clubs in Christchurch, which has led where the strength of the Metropolitan Club should make till others follow. Next, year, or sooner, it is to be hoped that the big club will follow its Trotting Cup (with a tighter class and a big sweepstake to thin the field), with a lOOOsovs purse for the champions, and some other event that will give tnern at least one race on each card for their own class. THE CUP MEETING. Although the threatening clouds which hung over the Cup meeting on the eve of its advent did not entirely disperse, they at least lifted sufficiently to allow the gathering to transpire without disaster. The stoppage of the usual means of transport between the Nortli and South Island must have kept hundreds away from the meeting, and the industrial upheaval also had the eamo effect. Many well-known regulars in constant attendance at Riccarton were conspicuous by absence, but nevertheless it was obvious that many thousands decided to participate in the great Cup carnival, strike or no strike. The attendance on the first day was really good under the circuin-

stances, though oil days appeared to show more shrinkage titan usual; but for tiio concluding card, despite the presence of heavy ram which fell unceasingly from early morning to tiio conclusion of the programme, there was a great muster of people, who stolidly defied the elements and enjoyed the sport as it Old Sol reigned instead oi Jupiter Pluviue reigning with a waterpot as a sceptre. Right throughout the piece the sport was of a high standard, and a splendid success achieved despite the troublesome atmosphere that still hangs over the country. A win in the face of such adverse circumstances is a matter on which the club may deservedly congratulate itself, although it is still a matter of regret that an opportunity for a particularly great success was lost owing to the present state of our industrial world. The holds kept up in a very satisfactory manner, and interest remained keen to the end of the chapter, although some of the form must have been unpalatable in many quarters, as several horses with excellent credentials failed to got amongst tiio money. There were spots on the racing sun, but perhaps the inconsistent betting was merely due to the fact that some people were having a do-or-die dash before the plav stopped. Mr U. Pipe/ was in excellent form at the barrier, an 4 only one or two seemed to boat him at tint start. In this respect it was pleasing to note that the stewards were not blind when one of the riders exhibited signs that ho \v:i( determined to get well away, despite any authority the starter might choose to cxe cis

cnse. Mr J. K. Henry*; had to accomplish a. mountain of work, particularly when getting out the weights for the second day. Xo (.vie who has waited through & handicap or two would envy his task on that .occasion. lu fact, if such tremendous nominations continue wi evidence it would only be a just and wise consideration on. the part of the club if they held the second day on Tuesday instead of Monday, and make the meeting run Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday instead of as at present. Horse-owners would probably appreciate the change as one for the better, as they would really lose no time when their horses are engaged at the full meeting. It is very obvious that it would greatly assist the handicapper, who, however, may not be troubling about the matter. Despite, the pleasure of attending the meeting', it is doubtful if anyone was particularly sorry when they betook their partially-drenched selves in a homeward direction to count the s[ku! s or regret tho missing. THIO EOHBCRY PARK MEETING. The Eorbuty Park Trotting Club's spring meeting w ill be held on Friday and Saturday of next week, and, although acceptances have not fallen duo at time of writing, there seems every prospect of firstclass cards Iroing available for each day of the fixture. A star feature of this meeting will (it is to he, earnestly hoped) bcoThe appearance of Denver lltton. who is probably the t-peediesi. pacer in training iu Australasia. The crack Australian pacer would prove n great draw if (here is * possibility of his being sent against tho watch, when, under favourable circumstances, in would probably set a murk thoi would not only ■•astonish the natives,” • but also set lighl-iiaruoss on tints taste in other parts of the world “aihinking.” The Addington Club losr a golden opportunity when they did not hang up a purse for King Cole, Emmeline, and Denver Huon. the three champions of Australasia, on tho only occasion when they have been together, and probably available. It seems .1 bit late for the Forburv Park Club to st,ei> into the breach, and tints give light-harness racing the greatest boost it ever received in Australasia.

THE SOUTH CANTERBURY MEET IXO. The South Cant ei-bury Jockey Club have been favoured with an excellent' array of entries for their spring' mootin',', which takes place next week. The lift includes several North island horses, and some of them inny not put in an appearance; but even without their assistance the meeting may prove one of the best ever held ou the course, as the Smith Island owners have come out with a liberal patronage of the programme. Apart from the numerical strength, there is quite a good muster of quality. Several of those engaged at Timaru ran prominently at the New Zealand Cup meeting. In addition to such winners as Flora Macdonald, Martel, Speedometer, Gasoline. Lady Marcia, Glentin. and possibly a northerner or two, there are a small host of others'that have run prominently without being quite in winning vein. Neither Lord Renown nor Haskayne, who are at the top of the list in the Slimmer Cup, may come south, and this would leave My Lawyer as top weight. The local horse was giving away 3!b to Glenfinnan in the Members’ Handicap, and, as the latter was going on at the finish to get a good third, he should beat My Lawyer at, lib. particularly as Glenfinnan looks an improving horse. My Lawyer has. however, exhibited a partiality for the Washdyki track, where he look up 8.5 lasr spring anj ran 10 furlongs in 2.6 1-5. The Cornel ran a good race in the Fendalton, anj now meets Flora Macdonald on l?.lb worst terms. Odessa, is allowed 81b on the Fe.m dalton running- (in which, by the way, ho appeared to be getting a bad run, and was w ith the tail of the field as they ran to tho far turn). Sestondale is allowed 81b. Speciah form goes from 6.7 to 7.1, and 51b from The Cornet on Saturday’s race. Mesgiel comes in at 121 b better terms, aiq of tln.se below 7.0 St. Petersburg looks the most dangerous if lie ran be screwed it] > to run a mile and a-Quarter. Ladroml ran Taitnhauser to a bead in the Mosgirl Handicap, and beat Capon (giving 81b) an/ The Cornet (giving 91b). He also finished close up to the latter in the Ranfurly when receiving 21b. whilst he beat Gapo;t at evens. In the Summer Cun The is giving Padrone 811 >. and Capon is allowing the same horse 7!b. Some of the horses are engaged in both the President’s Write! and Flying Handicap, and further consideration of the handicaps is deferred nnt'| after the declaration of acceptances, wider will be found providing excellent fields.