COST OF VISIT BY GREYHOUND

Southland Times, Issue 23675, 25 November 1938, Page 11

COST OF VISIT BY GREYHOUND

Auckland Sportsmen Not In Favour ABILITY TO REPRODUCE FORM DOUBTED (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 24. The committee of Christchurch sportsmen which is endeavouring to secure the appearance of the champion American trotter Greyhound in a series of match races in New Zealand next year has approached the P^ S J" dent of the Auckland Trotting Club, Mr E. G. Bridgens, about the project. The sum of £lOOO was suggested as a contribution to the £12,500 guarantee which is stated to have been demanded on behalf of Greyhound’s owner. In commenting on the scheme M Bridgens said that although the appearance of Greyhound would g trotting enthusiasts great pleasure, they did not think the expense apparently involved would be justified ana for that reason the proposal tor a guarantee was not favoured by the committee of the Auckland Club. Many American horses had been brought to the Dominion, but they had never been at their best after the trip. Greyhound was unlikely to prove the exception. The Auckland Trotting Club was offered a match race with Lawn Derby in April, but the American horse would first appear in Christchurch and .if he failed to race up to expectations, which Mr Bridgens thought was quite likely, enthusiasm would have waned- by the time he arrived in Auckland. Similar sentiments were expressed by the secretary of the club, Mr A. G. Mabee, who explained that American tracks were much faster than those in New Zealand, so the possibility of Greyhound’s reproducing his record speed or anything like it was remote. Personally, said Mr Mabee, he would rather see an offer made for a speed exhibition by Lawn Derby. Trotting in Auckland had been built up by exhibitions by the best Christchurch horses and if the best-class Australian horses could also be secured that policy was more likely to be fruitful than a highly speculative and costly American venture.