SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4047, 13 May 1938, Page 8

SPORTING NOTES

WAIKATO TROTTING CLUB’S MEETING. GOOD CONTESTS AT CLAUDELANDS. The Waikato Trotting Club has received record acceptances for its meeting at Claudelands to-morrow afternoon, and there is every indication of a most successful meeting-, especially if the weather is fine. Trotting is gaining in popularity among those who are not so much attracted to betting as to see good horses competing. While the top class of pacei is not engaged to-morrow, all the fields are very even in point of quality, and this usually means exciting finishes—and consequent thrills. Of the 25 acceptors for the Introductory Handicap (for trotters), 18 are on the limit, and this means two rows, so that investors will no doubt watch to see whether their fancy is in the first or second row. Past experience shows that to win from the second row a horse needs a fair share of luck or else it above the average in quality. Te Awamutu has an interest for Frontier Lad and Native Princess hail from here. Canadian, Braemar and Lady Bunker will probably be solidly supported on the totalisator, and if Riptide and Leeleeta are front-row starters they also will be worthy of support. Well fancied starters in the Eureka Handicap, ten furlongs, will probably be John’s Last, Jewel Crest and Sunny Parrish, especially if they are fortunate enough to be in the front row. The whole sixteen are on the same mark. Stargum may effect a surprise. Proletarian and Crocus are the back-markers in the big event of the day, the Autumn Handicap, two miles, and of the pair Crocus will probably be preferred, especially if driven by the “wizard,” F. J. Smith. Argolis may also be well supported on the totalisator. There are fourteen in the Tamahere Handicap, li miles, and a pair of very useful sorts in Handicapper and Baron Grand will be solidly supported. Derby Lu was rather popular a year or so ago, but has recently been racing below form. Our Summer and Transwell are at least useful, and should be well supported. There is another big field in the Rukuhia Handicap, and several of them have earlier engagements. Investors would be well advised to note that fact. If started, John’s Last, Winhisway and Ratepayer look the best of those on the limit, but many will expect to see Roma Girl, from 48yds behind, in the firing line in the race to the judge’s box. She has earned her handicap. The open sprint event is the Kaipaki Handicap, ten furlongs, with Star Pronto the back-marker, on 48yds, and if he could be relied on to travel kindly he would be a decided favourite. Valdor, Hearsay and Argolis should be troublesome. The final event of the day is the Visitors’ Handicap, a saddle event of one mile, and this class of contest has always been very popular at Claudelands. The back-marker is Mr T. G. Mart’n’s good mare Tryment, and she will be well supported on the totalisator. If she can beat King Country. Cherrill and Hori Bingen will have earned the stake and justified the totalisator support.