Auckland Trotting Club

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 July 1927, Page 7

Auckland Trotting Club

Reforms Required at Epsom Training and Betting Facilities 'YY r HILE the Auckland Trotting Club is one of the finest organisations of its kind in the Dominion, possessing a great grass track and splendidappointments, catering most liberally for owners in the way of stakes and providing excellent sport for the public, the lack of proper training facilities is sorely felt by mentors, and the obsolete totalisator system is the bugbear of speculators.

Racing has long enjoyed the privilege of being designated the “sport of kings,” but the sister pastime, trotting, has earned the appropriate title of the “king of sports.” The progress and popularity of the light harness code in New Zealand has been remarkable, and it is generally admitted that the later day speculative recreation has become a serious rival to the older time galloping sport. Not that there is any occasion for rivalry, as in this glorious part of our sportive Empire there is room for both branches of the exciting pastime, and the one can be of mutual assistance to the other. Co-operation is the main road toward success in any venture, and if this important factor is brought into prominence where racing and trotting operations prevail, the result to each cannot fail to prove beneficial, and will tend toward the success of both departments.

Of later years adherents of the “sport of kings” have viewed with pleasure the growth of the “king of sports,” and appreciate the assistance often rendered by the trotting enthusiasts to galloping clubs who are not in a selfreliant position. GROWTH OF POPULAR PASTIME

Several reasons can be advanced for this wpnderful progress in the realms of the light harness industry, the development and popularity of which is mainly attributable to the improvement in the trotting stock. The leading trotting clubs in the Dominion are responsible for this excellent state of affairs, as they have catered for the sport in a liberal manner with enticing stake money. With clubs and owners co-operating in such a fashion, the standard of the pastime was elevated to such a plane that the sport gained rapidly in public favour, and has become recognised as equal in importance to the sister game of racing. Three primary factors, then, can be credited with the growth of the light harness business in New Zealand; the clubs, which provide the rich stakes; the owners, who provide the excellent sport with their improved stock; and the public, who patronise the sport for its spectacular and speculative interest. THE BIG THREE Each section plays a prominent part in the ultimate success of the pastime, and each is peculiarly interdependent on the other. “For the want of a nail the shoe was lost, and for the want of a shoe the horse was lost,’’ runs the oldtime fable, and it is quite applicable in the case under review. “For the want of public support, clubs would be lost, and for the want of decent stakes owners would be lost.” It is imperative then that the spirit of co-operation should be uppermost between these chief factors for the success of the sport, and there must be an appreciable dove-tailing of the three essentials. PROGRESS IN AUCKLAND The growth of the light harness sport has been very marked in the Auckland district, and the Auckland Club is looked upon as one of the leading trotting concerns in the Dominion. In many respects the Auckland body can justly lay claim to this creditable position, and no doubt if those controlling its destinies launched out in the matter of a few important improvements, it could take the position of the leading club in New Zealand, and make Auckland the recognised headquarters of the popular pastime. But those who control the affairs of the Auckland Trotting Club "are not ambitious in this respect, and apparently are too modest to desire to usurp the position so ably maintained by the New Zealand Metropolitan Club. HIGH POSITION ATTAINED

Having attained the high office of second on the list, the local administration appears quite content to rest on its oars and let the trotting craft drift along the same old placid channel, never giving thought to the possibility of this channel some day becoming difficult to navigate and leaving the ship in a perilous position. Up to a certain point the Auckland Trotting Club has made a huge success of its business, and the liberal manner in which it caters for owners with its three richly endowed programmes each year has won it solid support from owners in various parts of the D inion. The presence of the cream of New Zealand pacers and trotters at fixtures held at Alexandra Park acts as an incentive to the public, who patronise the gatherings in very large numbers, and particularly on holidays. NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS Up to this point there is pleasing harmony between the club, owners and patrons, but there are, unfortunately, one or two questions of vital importance to both owners and the speculative public that require remedial measures before the club can hope to make any further progress. In fact, if these problems are not grappled with by the authorities in the near future, it will result in an era of retrogression instead of progression. A marking-time policy is a dangerous one, and sooner or later the tide must either advance or recede. In the question of training facilities at Alexandra Park, the Auckland Club is undoubtedly at the halt, while in the matter of catering for the speculative public it is marking time. In each connection progress is essential if the club is to enjoy its present high status for any length of time. LIBERAL STAKE-GIVER In its racing circuit at Epsom, the local club has one of the finest in the Dominion, and, in fact, as a grass track, probably has no equal in the Southern Hemisphere. The same remark is applicable to the very fine grandstand which adorns the enclosure, and visitors from various parts of Australia and the Dominion loudly sing the praises of Auckland’s track and appointments. The handsome manner in which the club caters for owners in the question of stakes is also the subject of favourable comment, and on this score there is no cause for complaint. The fixtures are held during the year, covering seven days of attractive trotting, for which the enormous amount of £29,600 is distributed in prize-money. These three gatherings are held in the spring, summer and winter seasons, and vie with each other in popularity. There is no doubt that the Auckland Club, if it so desired, could make out a good case for a fixture in the autumn, and there would be no need for agitation in the direction of altering the winter gathering to an autumn one. FAVOURITE FIXTURE The winter fixture is a general favourite with followers of the popular pastime, and with suitable training facilities, would find continued favour with owners and trainers. The lack of a training area at this season of the year is sadly felt by those who keep iheir charges going at Alexandra Park, and if this defect was remedied, as it should be, then there would be no call for an alteration of dates.

Winter meetings are hsld in other parts *of New Zealand, where climatic conditions are no better than in Auckland, but owing to more suitable training facilities owners and mentors are enabled to get their candidates ready for racing. Conditions at Mangere are much better than at Alexandra Park, with the result that horses trained in that area were very forward for the recent fixture and worthily upheld the trotting prestige of the province, while Epsom-trained aspirants, with one exception, failed through lack of condition. If the training track problem is tackled earnestly and promptly there will be no necessity to rob the public of its winter outing. Owners who complain of too long a break between autumn ana spring activities will be in a sorry plight if the club accedes to a request to change the fixture, but under existing conditions they are much in the same boat through insufficient training operations. The question of allowing horses to be worked out occasionally on the grass is another that must be faced sooner or later by the Auckland management, and this will be of undoubted benefit to trainers. Owners would willingly pay a fee, if necessary, for the privilege of a few winding-up bursts on the turf, on which their charges are asked to race. The request is a very reasonable one, indeed.

INADEQUATE TOTE FACILITIES As far as the speculative* public are concerned, they also have a grievance on account of inadequate totalisator facilities, and while in many instances investments are shut out of the machine through the dilatoriness of the speculator, a large amount of money was recently lost through the inability of the staff to handle it. In this respect “Abaydos” wishes it clearly understood there is no reflection on the totalisator staff; it is the obsolete method in vogue that is the responsible factor.

Take the case of the first day of the winter gathering, when there was a very large attendance. The machine recorded a decrease for the day of approximately £3,500 on the figures of the corresponding day last year. While admitting things generally have been bad, and decreases have been conspicuous in many parts, the fact remains that there was practically enough money shut off the totalisator on the day in question to have wiped out the deficiency. This may hardly appear feasible to some, but when it is considered there were seven races on the card and hundreds of bettors were unable to make their investments, it is not difficult to arrive at the conclusion. SMALL BETTOR AFFECTED It is widely admitted that this is the era of the small bettor, and there is no denying the popularity of the “ten bob” tote, and it was in this connection that the trouble arose. The half-sovereign machine is situated on the outer—very much on the outer, too at Epsom, and no doubt under ordinary circumstances would prove equal to coping with the requirements of those who view the good sport provided from the hill.

But it is called upon to cater for the requirements of the great majority from the enclosure, who prefer to have “two chances for a pound.” The staff is practically asked to do double the work in the same time, and while the assistants do all in t their power to satisfy the speculators, they are only human and cannot do the impossible. Bettors who get shut out occasionally are inclined to lose interest in the proceedings and their patronage is often lost at later functions. REMEDIES SUGGESTED

There is no doubt that the time has arrived when the Auckland Club should consider the advisability of installing an electric totalisator. Ranking as it does in the first flight of the Dominion’s caterers for the light harness sport, it is difficult to understand why an organisation that has made such remarkable progress and development in the question of racing track, general appointments and huge stakes, has been so lukewarm regarding improved totalisator facilities.

Wherever the electric machine is in vogue, its usefulness is lauded to the skies, and it is to be hoped the day is not far distant when its presence will be a prominent feature at Alexandra Park.

Summed up, then, the position plainly shows that while Auckland is a great trotting province, possessing a sound club, equal to anything in the question of progress affecting stakes, race track, and appointments, the game is marking time, owing to the lack of up-to-date training and speculative facilities. If these two important questions are quickly remedied, Auckland can, if it so desires, become the leading trottng area in the Dominion, with a fixture for each season the year.

NOTES AND COMMENTS A Fine Record During the last four seasons, representatives of the defunct Americanbred sire Logan Pointer have won stakes to the collective value of £101,543. This is a very fine record indeed, and with so many high-class performers to represent him, the Star Pointer horse’s name will be kept well to the fore in the light-harness circles for many years. Gold Bell’s Consistency Progeny of Gold Bell are fairly consistent in their earnings, as is evidenced by the amounts to the popular sire’s credit during the last four seasons. In 1923-24 £5,907 was the total earnings of Gold Bell representatives, which increased to £7,575 the following season. At the end of 1925-26 the amount collected by Gold Bell’s offspring was £6,834, while for the season just concluded the tally is £7,662. Getting a Lift Progeny of Our Thorpe are giving their sire a lift along in the winning list, the total reached by the son of O.Y.M. —Lady Thorpe this season being £4,015. Last year representatives of the one-time great pacer credited him with £2,634 —which was a few hundred pounds in excess of his tally for 1924-25. The greatest winner among the Our Thorpe’s this season was Harold Thorpe (£1,772), and barring accidents it is a shame what amounts Harold will lift next year.

Time to Develop Nellie Hugo, half-sister to that solid trotter, Tamerlane, after her dual success on the West Coast early in the season, buttoned down and failed to salute the man in the box any further. Nellie has, however, plenty of time to make good, and when she next figures at the races the daughter of Great Audubon will be a five-year-old. Did Not Box On

The three-year-old Brentfire won a race at the Westport Christmas fixture in a manner that suggested further successes before the season concluded. The son of Brent Locanda —Empress Eugenie has not so far fulfilled the early promise, and although

he made a good showing at Ashburton, he failed to box on when it came to business. Brentfire has now* left G. S. Smith’s stable and is again under the care of his owner, W. R. Black. Stopped Quickly Wee Gus, the half-brother, by Harold Dillon, to Brentfire, was a competitor at Ashburton last week, but after giving a lot of cheek for a mile stopped as if he had been shot. Like his younger relative, Wee Gus he only managed to land one heat during the season. which proved to be over a twomile course. Not Well Named

Quality jumped out smartly in the mile and a-half race at Ashburton, but with six furlongs completed she went to the pack completely. The halfsister to Cardinal Logan will never reach the standard set by the son of Logan Pointer, and certainly belies her name. Generally Sinks Surfboard sinks his supporters so often that at times they fear they will never rise again. He was among the also starteds at Ashburton. A win a season seems to be the limit set by the chestnut son of Harold Dillon, and he secured that at the Banks Peninsula autumn race fixture. Promising Youngster Rey Child made his debut at Ashburton. He is a two-year-old by Rey de Oro from a mare by Rothschild, and has all the attributes of a smart pacer, and next season should do his connections useful service. On the Improve Logan King has been racing better lately, and next season should find him among the early winners. He is a full-brother to Loganwood, but his performances so far prove him to be a long way removed from his brother’s class. Last year he scored early at Greymouth and Westport, but this season failed to earn a winning certificate. Not Good Enough Logan Maid had the services of M. B. Edwards at Ashburton. She got on the journey quickly, but was well beaten half a mile from the judge. One win in two seasons is not very encouraging to the connections of the Logan Pointer mare. Big Disappointment Panto was fussy at the start of the Lyndhurst Handicap at Ashburton, and forgot to hit out when the signal was given. Although showing a lot of promise in his work, the son of Brent Locanda has raced disappointingly for his owner-trainer, O. Hooper. Wants It Solid Jackie Audubon got on the journey fairly well in the mile and a-quarter event at Ashburton, but after promising well for eight furlongs, he com-

Not Good Enough Logan Maid had the services of M. B. Edwards at Ashburton. She got on the journey quickly, but was well beaten half a mile from the judge. One win in two seasons is not very encouraging to the connections of the Logan Pointer mare. Big Disappointment

Panto was fussy at the start of the Lyndhurst Handicap at Ashburton, and forgot to hit out when the signal was given. Although showing a lot of promise in his work, the son of Brent Locanda has raced disappointingly for his owner-trainer, O. Hooper.

Wants It Solid Jackie Audubon got on the journey fairly well in the mile and a-quarter event at Ashburton, but after promising well for eight furlongs, he commenced to drop back. He made heavy work of the going. The stable-mate of Whispering Willie promises to do better when the going is solid. Not a Stayer

Berma Pointer left the mark at Ashburton like a shot out of a gun, and when a furlong had been disposed of she was six lengths clear of her field. She kept her position for a mile, and then shut up like a book. Her best effort last season was over a mile, which she won in 2.22 2-5 Should Improve The big five-year-old gelding Cullinsville was among the starters at Ashburton, and despite being slow in

getting on the journey, he finished in fourth place. When properly seasoned the half-brother to Harley Dillon and Lord Bingen may do better than his relations. Backed and Beaten There was big money for Bingen Wilkes at Ashburton, wher e the half - brother to Willie Lincoln looked in much better trim than when he raced at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s fixture. In Saturday’s event he was driven by D. Withers, but after a happy dispatch he was one of the first beaten. He does not shape like a stayer.