CLUB’S FIRST MEETING

Southland Times, Issue 24011, 29 December 1939, Page 8

CLUB’S FIRST MEETING

PUBLIC SUPPORT WAS DISAPPOINTING

RUGBY MATCH A STRONG COUNTER ATTRACTION

The Winton Trotting Club held its first meeting on Wednesday, May 24, 1905, and the following reference to it is taken from the files of The Southland Times, of May 25, 1905: “Pleasant, though slightly cold, weather was experienced for the inaugural race meeting of the newly-formed Winton Trotting Club. The gathering did not meet with the public support that was expected, the attendance being very small indeed. Probably the counter-attraction in the shape of a football match was a powerful one, and the trots suffered accordingly. The course and lawn were in good order, entries were fairly numerous and everything was in that satisfactory state which ensures that a meeting will be carried through. The officials worked harmoniously, and got the events off with reasonable punctuality. The Winton Band -was in attendance during the afternoon and their selections were appreciated.” The results were:—

Maiden Handicap, £8 (saddle), 14 miles.—R. Jamieson’s b m Reject (owner) ssec 1, T. W. Perry’s ch g April (W. Kennedy) ssecs 2, H. Taylor’s blk g Black Thread 2secs 3. Time, 4.34. Ladies’ Bracelet, £lO, two miles.— Mrs Ramage’s b m Little Venus 28sec 1, Mrs Perry’s b m Lady Rothschild II 24sec 2, Mrs Cameron’s b m Pyro 28sec 3. Time, 6.15. Electric Trot, £lO, 1 mile.—P. Hogan’s b m Violetta (R. Kennedy) 14sec 1, A. Baird’s Carnation (owner) 18sec 2, W. Cameron’s b m Lady Vancleve (W. Kennedy) 12sec 4. Time, 2.43.

Winton Cup, £2O (saddle), two miles.—C. Hazlett’s br g Whitecroft (McCurdy) 17sec 1, T. W. Perry’s ch g April (Travers) 30sec 2, W. Doyle’s g m Whitepine (W, Kennedy) 30sec 3. Time, 5.52.

Hamess Trot, £l5, 1J miles.—P. Hogan’s b m Violetta, jun. (R. Kennedy) 6sec 1, W. Cameron’s b m Lady Vancleve (W. Kennedy) 9sec 2, T. W. Perry’s b m Lady Rothschild 24sec (owner) 3. Time, 4.7 2-5. Dash Trot, £lO (saddle), one mile.— A. Baird’s b m Carnation 18sec (owner) 1, J. McKenzie’s b h Clearaway 24sec (Travers) 2, W. Cameron’s b m Lady Vancleve 12sec (W. Kennedy) 3. Time, 2.54. Consolation Handicap, £7, miles.— T. Clarke jun.’s b m Mistake 20sec (owner) 1, W. Cameron’s b m Pyro 25sec (W. Kennedy) 2, T. Looney’s b g Explanation scr (Kidd) 3.

TOTALIZATOR FIXTURE The report of the first totalizator meeting of the club is of interest and the following is taken from the files of The Southland Times, dated December 2, 1915. “Heavy rain overnight ana during the morning hours produced a very dark outlook yesterday as far as the first annual totalizator meeting of the Winton Trotting Club was concerned, but the sun shone out before the, midday hour, and with the exception of one slight shower, the afternoon turned out fine. The threatening weather prospects of the morning undoubtedly affected the attendance, but the number present was very fair and included Sir Joseph Ward, Lady Ward and party. Visitors were in attendance from all parts of Southland, and quite a number of sportsmen came from Canterbury and Otago to assist at the gathering. The course was in fair order considering the amount of moisture which had previously fallen and the times recorded throughout go to show that it improved as the day went on. The proceedings were promptly carried out and the racing was both keen and enjoyable. “Mr W. Norman, in the capacity of hon. starter, performed his duties in a highly satisfactory manner and it has to be remarked that in sending away the field for the principal event he had the assistance of Sir Joseph Ward, who manipulated the starting clock as if to the manner born,” continues the report. “The totalizator returns for the afternoon amounted to £6273 and with gate receipts totalling £ll5 and a membership of 200, together with satisfactory entrance and acceptance fees, the result should be a successful meeting from a financial point of view, although heavy initial expenses may reduce file profits.” Another comment in the same issue reads: “The Winton Trotting Club had every reason to be satisfied with their first meeting under totalizator conditions, more particularly when the weather conditions prevailing before the starting hour are considered. The management committee of the inland light harness body were very anxious

on the morning of the fixture as to the outcome of their gathering under adverse conditions, but long before the final race was called up for decision, their fears were set at rest and it was generally understood that a small profit would be declared—the keenness of the competition earlier in the day had suppressed all qualms as to the success of the racing itself. The club may now claim to be fairly established in the ranks of New Zealand’s totalizator trotting institutions, and it is safe to say that it will expand and grow in importance and within a very short period, as its directors are keenly alive to helping in the progress of the American sport and at the same time providing that the confidence of the commissioners in granting them a permit was not displaced. Supporters of the club are well aware that a dirt track is necessary to the welfare of the light harness game and the improvement to the class of horse devoted to it and it is betraying no confidence to say that this fact is to be kept ever in view until such times as the funds will withstand the cost entailed.”