N.Z. TROTTING RIVALS TURF

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 93, 11 July 1927, Page 7

N.Z. TROTTING RIVALS TURF

OFFICIAL EXPLAINS IN SYDNEY WHY SPORT FLOURISHES Enthusiastic about trotting success in New Zealand, Mr. W. J. M. Hopkins, an official deeply involved In the sport that almost rivals the racing of galloping horses in the Dominion, arrived by the Aorangi, says a Sydney exchange, and intends spending some time in New South Wales. He tells of the triumphant success of the sport in New Zealand. Mr. Hopkins is a member of the New Zealand Trotting Association, the body that controls the whole of the sport of

trotting in that country. He is also treasurer to the board, and one of two who control the licensing of trainers, and drivers numbering 2,600 altogether. REASON FOR SUCCESS Asked why New Zealand was so successful in its trotting, Mr. Hopkins stated that the association, as with all the 35 clubs controlled by the board, was presided over by the best sportsmen. The New Zealand Trotting Association was fortunate from its inception having for its president, and for 25 years, until lately, Mr. P. Selig, and also nine members, mostly composed of merchants and solicitors. TWO PROMINENT CLUBS The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club and the Auckland Trotting Club were the two largest in the Dominion, and gave stakes from <£4oo to £3,000 each event. The New Zealand Trotting Cup, of £3,000 and cup, was the richest handicap event in the world, run over a distance of two miles, and usually disposed of in 4.19 to 4.24. It is framed as a 4.30 handicap, and on one or two occasions this race has been annexed by Sydney sportsmen. The fastest time for a two-mile race was made by Great Bingen, owned by Mr. J. R. McKenzie, of Wellington, in the fast time of 4.19 2-5. PUTTING THE WIND UP AUSSIES Mr. Hopkins either has a very bad memory regarding the times of the various New Zealand Cup races decided since its inception, or was bent on “putting the wind up” Australian owners or trainers who may have been harbouring an ambition to visit the Dominion in the hope of collecting the liberal prize money devoted to the great event of the New Zealand light harness season. NOT ACCOMPLISHED YET On the other hand, the New Zealand officials interviewed may have been of an imaginative or Americanised turn of mind and perhaps confused the fastest times of the Dominion ranging from 4.19 2-5 to 4.23 4-5 with the big handicap. As a mater of fact, the New Zealand Cup has not yet been disposed of under 4.25, a record for the race standing to the credit of Ahuriri. when he secured the stake last year for the second time in succession. Sheik, 1924 victor, tramped 4.25 4-5, prior to which Author Dillon’s 4.26 2-5 registered in 1918 stood as the winning time record. UNFORTUNATE ERROR Furthermore, the member of the Dominion Trotting Association, unless misunderstood in his remarks in reference to the time limit of the big race, shows an amazing lack of knowledge regarding the conditions under which the race is now contested. Everyone familiar with the trotting calendar is aware of the fact that the New Zealand Cup is for horses that have done, or been handicapped to do 4.28 for two miles, and it is an unfortunate mistake to misrepresent the principal light harness heat of the Dominion as a 4.30 class. INSPIRING ENTHUSIASM Apart from these errors, the enthusiasm of Mr. Hopkins as reflected in the interview with the Sydney pressmen is good to behold, and no doubt long before the New. Zealand sportsman returns to the land of his choice he will have convinced the numerous followers of the popular pastime in the Commonwealth that New Zealand is undoubtedly “God’s Own Country” as far as the light harness sport is concerned.