TROTTERS WELL CATERED FOR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 546, 26 December 1928, Page 12

TROTTERS WELL CATERED FOR

LIBERAL STAKE IN ROWE CUP DRAWS HIGH-CLASS FIELD In recognition of his consistent advocacy for the rights of the square-gaited horse, the Auckland Trotting Club, a decade ago, renamed the principal race on the summer card for trotters after the president, Mr. John Rowe, and it became known as the Rowe Handicap. Ever since his association with the light-harness sport, which dates back well over a quarter of a century, Mr. John Rowe took up the cudgels on behalf of the pure-gaited contestants, advocating consistently from year to year that better facilities and more encouragement should be given to the trotters. Elected president of the organisation, John Rowe continued his fight and at last better events were scheduled for horses keeping to the true gait. The Auckland Club then decided to put on a good handicap for the opening day of the summer carnival and the race became known as the Rowe Handicap, and later the Rowe Cup. In 1919 the event was valued at £350 and the limit set at 4.55, Bluewood, driven by J. Bryce, winning in a tick better than his handicap. To-day the race is worth £I,OOO and valuable gold cup, while the limit is 4.35. Three to Bill Orange In 1920 the stake was raised to £SOO, and Grattan Abbey, steered by Billy Orange, was the successful candidate, while the following year a further in-

crease in the prize of £250 was announced, the winner turning up in Native King, who has a fine representative engaged in this year’s contest in Native Star. The first thousand pounder appeared in 1922, and Bill Orange was the successful driver, getting Aerial Bingen home in 4.45 4-5, the limit being 4.50 and the winner 36yds behind. The same reinsman scored the following year with Mutu, making his tally of wins three, and last year Bill made a great effort to make it four, when Betty Moko just failed to head off Waikaha. In 1924 the limit was reduced to 4.45, A J Julian getting the thick end of the purse with Pyramus, and the next year the pruning knife was again applied to the extent of one second. Rose Binw ll A he J w . in . ner on this occasion, W. Willetts driving her home in 4 36 The president again stressed the point of tightening the limit to get the best trotters in the land to compete, and when the 1926 programme was broadcast the Rowe Handicap was for trotters that could do 4.38 or better. Waikaha, a local favourite, owned and trained by J. T. Paul, proved the winkS he . re P e fted the performance ’ , When the Ilmit tvas further on i -J 1 - d W ° seconds - Waikaha was on 4.30 and won in 4.36 2-5. but Rose B ingen. who is off the front of next week s contest t 4.35). holds the winning record with 4.36 innin 0 THIS YEAR’S CONTEST Of the thirteen colouring the card in took part ui Z f ar and - Betty Moko Moko P and Sist'e'f Belfrice 2.®? places behind Waikaha. The' Toraki^ SSWM-VS? Of the various candidates which

have contested the rich handicap, during the last few years. Betty Moko has the finest record, having acted as run-ner-up for three consecutive years, and it is not for want of trying that owner T. Brady has failed to hold out his hand for the winner’s cheque. Should the Penrose mare, whose consistency is admired by the public, succeed in going one better this year it would be a popular victory, and as the daughter of Peter Moko has made favourable progress of late under the direction of Fred Gilchrist, she can be relied upon to make another desperate effort to break the spell. Sister Beatrice, who finished third last, year, has made excellent progress during the interval and has worked her way back with the real class trot-

ters, but' she has shown such brilliancy in some of her essays that her chances are held in the highest regard. There is every indication that the Young Blake-Elzear bracket will again be the popular selection, and the combination will certainly take a power of beating. A Solid Bracket Elzear was in such great form at the Christchurch carnival last month that she improved on her handicap to such an extent that she is now on a 4.28 mark, but the little mare is such a great trotter she is sure to be handy at the finish. Young Blake is a solid customer and, providing he is not left behind over the first portion of the journey, will be on deck when the post is in sight. Rose Bingen is a past Rowe Cup winner and if dressed in her best regalia would be a nuisance off the front, but her last displays have not been commendable. Tiger Salve was a dual winner in October at Epsom, and being a rare beginner, C. G. Bee’s trotter will make things interesting. Ngatira won a double at Alexandra Park last month, and on the second day put up a solid and fast trot which has gained him many friends for the big contest. Off the end the Wellsford square-gaiter should put up a good fight, but he will not require to dwell at the commencement of hostilities. Kempton, who has won this season in a shade better than 4.35, is just the sort to create a surprise, and for 14 furlongs will have the opposition thinking hard. Just how he will fare over the final 4 pinch j s problematical, but C. Donald has him in splendid condition. Trampfast is another that will take all sorts of beating, and the manner in which he was doing * his work in the Dominion Handicap at Addington, when he met with interference, suggested he would have been in a place bar accidents. At times the one-eyed chap does not take kindly to the Auckland circuit, but one day he did it right and bolted in to the tune of 4.30. Tradesman has given away time to get in the race and should And his job a severe one, while Napland. if returned to his better day**, will be at home off the front. He will be bracketed with the champion Peterwah. who, despite the big starts he is conceding, will be moving at a great rat©

over the final stages. He will also take part in the Auckland Cup, and his form in that event will serve to throw further light on his Rowe Cup prospects. Native Star won twelve months ago in a 4.46 class off 4.43, tramping 4.38 2-5, and on the last day she further improved her two-mil® record to 4.35 for third money. Later in the season at Christchurch th® Feilding mare won handsomely in 4.30 2-5. In the Dominion Handicap Native Star went a good race and while she did not have the smoothest passage secured second money. With such a collection of good trotters the race promises to be brimful of interest from start to finish.