SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 78, Issue 7016, 7 February 1949, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

ON RACING AND TROTTING BRIEF ITEMS ON AND OFF THE TRACK (By “Old Rowley”) The Waikato Stakes Any doubt which may have been in the minds of trotting enthusiasts about the wiseness of the. Waikato Trotting Club inaugurating a three-year-old Stakes race must surely be set. at rest by the response which the club has received. Run over a mile, and five furlongs, with special handicaps, the Waikato Stakes has attracted a field of eighteen, among which are many very well-bred and wellperformed pace.rs. The Club is to be congratulated on its decision, for it is such class events which promote good breeding and good racing and the light harness sport is at a stage in its development where every incentive, should be given to those endeavouring to improve the quality rather than the quantity of horses engaged.

Assessments and Balloting Rules governing racing, whether they apply to galloping or trotting, can often be improved and it is only as they are applied that weaknesses are discovered. Conditions prevailing at present necessitate the use of balloting to bring fields dowm to reasonable size and there is always the risk of misunderstanding and heartburning on the part of those who become subject to the ballot. However, there, is one point, applying particularly to the slower class races in the trotting sport which could be discussed by owners, trainers and the Conference with advantage to all. Metropolitan programmes are set out with tighter class assessments predominating and any equine nominated whiqh does not qualify by means of winning his way into that particular class is refused acceptance on the grounds of noneligibility. This evidently does not apply with clubs who cater for maiden and improver class pacers, or trotters, for it is quite common to see nonwinners nominated for improved class events and improvers sacrificing seconds of time in order to get off a bad mark in their own class. The logical thought in connection with programmes which have capacity nominations and few withdrawals would be a rigid enforcement of each section keeping its own class and the provision of occasional races which would enable those unfortunate enough to be assessed on a bad mark to race off scratch. Free-for-all races are popular in the South Island and with the one proviso as to time, an occasional race of this description may be the answer to the dilemma of clubs in regard to horses awkwardly placed.

Highland Fling’s Record .It has taken ten years to produce a pacer good enough to lower the one mile world’s grass track record established by Van Derby at Epsom, on Uth February, 1939. On Saturday last, at Hutt Park, unpaced and skilfully handled by L. F. Berkett, Highland Fling paced the measured mile in 2.0. Records are made to be broken, but mingled with the pleasure of such an accomplishment by a horse which has proved himself a champion is the knowledge of a former star being relegated into the limbo of the forgotten. Attracted Attention

Double Chance, fairly well supported for his engagement in the Matamata Cup, attracted attention by the manner in which he raced in the earlier stages of the race, and turning into the straight for the judge many thought the Nizami Golden Hair horse would be in the call at the finish but shortly afterwards he compounded badly and finished well down the field. However, this is not surprising for he has only recently returned to racing after a spell and may not reach his best until the autumn. Double Chance should certainly be kept in mind for open mile contests in the immediate future. Useful Maiden

Many people attended the second day of the Matamata Racing Club’s summer meeting intending to support Cornishman in his engagement in the. Hinuera Handicap, but were doomed to disappointment for his connections elected to forego the trip. By Foxbridge from Flying Cross, Cornishman is owned by Mr C. G. Vosper and trained by R. Cotter at Te Rapa. The three-year-old has shown promise in his few public appearances and looks a likely type for autumn engagements.

Outclassed Opposition Once she reached the front when contesting the Railway Hack Handicap, Park Princess, ridden by R. E. Horne, just played with the opposition and over the final two furlongs drew right away from the field. J. Wicklift has kept.this mare in good order over a fair period and the victory was a personal triumph for the local mentor who has only recently set up seriously as a public trainer. By Trench Fight from Solitary, this mare should provide Mr C. F. Rogers with a pleasant period of ownership. Just Failed

Owned and trained by J. L. McDonald, Oxford Blue ran very generously in the second division of the Putaruru Stakes and was only beaten half a head by Trench Fray. The Rhodes Scholar filly is not very big, but like Wonder Boy, she appears to be stout-hearted and courageous. She has not been over-raced and should furnish into a useful type next season. Shewed Improvement Showing sufficient ability in her track work to win races, Lady Blandford has, in the past failed to have much luck in the running on race day, but at Matamata on Saturday last, ridden by apprentice M. Koperu, she ran very well, although tiring badly from the distance. On this form Mr G. A. Pollard’s 6-year-old mare should be very hard to head off over six furlongs.