THE GENESIS OF TROTTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17188, 3 November 1923, Page 11 (Supplement)

THE GENESIS OF TROTTING.

OLD DAYS OF THE SPORT RECALLED.

PROGRESS OF THE METROPOLITAN CLUB.

Trotting began in real earnest in Canterbury when Mr A. I. Rattrov helped t,> handicap the first race held by the Canterbury Trotting Club on the old A. anti P. course, and did the job so well that the race produced a deadheat. It was an almost unprecedented achievement in those days, and the 1888 equivalent of the modern ** ian ’* grew enthusiastic and talked about the thing for long afterwards. If you care to seek out some of the old timers to-day and gently lead them towards reminiscence you will learn much that is interesting about that old time gathering, and probablv (if you are lucky') open the floodgates of a discourse richly strewn with the milestones that dot the path of trotting, leading from the dim remoteness of things down to the present time. V couple of giants of the past sat

ar.d talked thus on the stand at the Metropolitan grounds the other day, breaking off abruptly now and then to argue fiercely on present day horses and carnival probabilities. It was his Worship <a thoroughly irresponsible person, and not the Mayor, understand) who started it. His Worship is thoroughly learned in the gentle art of getting “the okl blokes’* going. “ You just start 'em. and then sit buck and listen/’ ho said with the assurance of one who had tried raanj times and had never failed. They are so very learned, these old boys, 44 full of wise saws and modern instances ** and opulent with precedents (some very remote) to call to bear upon the problem of the moment “ Watch me.” said his Worship, and leaned across to say. in a veteran ear, 44 That’s a good one.’* as a horse bowled down the track. The veteran sniffed contemptuously. ‘ Mile in twenty or twenty-one,” said the mischievous one. The veteran was unimpressed. “If he wins the Cup I will go he.” was his response. “ The roan will beat him, and ” (just to show* how great was his contempt) 44 the roan may be dead for all I know.** “ But look at him,’* said his Worship, pointing to where the maligned amwai was making a very fair show of speed around the back. “ Would you

believe that he went twenty the other morning?** The veteran wouldn’t believe anything of the sort and said so. 44 I won't have him,” he said with an_air of ill-humoured finality. “He won’t get away.” And talking of horses that didn’t get away reminded him of a particular horse that didn’t get away: which, in fact, refused very obstinately to leave the post. It was all very galling, particularly as there were many objects to be gained by getting that horse away smartly and past the post first. The starter had been told all about it beforehand, and had boasted his ability to get anything away. “ But. no.” said the historian, 44 he just ups and props, and wouldn’t budge an irch. and was still there when the others had finished.” The rider did his best, it seems, to preserve his dig-

nity under such trying conditions, but every vestige of decorum had to be discarded when he found that the only wav of getting that perverse beast back to its stables was to get off and lead it past a laughing and jeering crowd to the boxes. The best of riders is apt Lo be put out bv such an experience. It was not, therefore, such an astonishing thing that when the owner of the horse ventured to make an innocent joke about the happening and bint playfully that the rider preferred standing still, that the exasperated victim of equine stubbornness and human satire should lose his temper and his job in one act by striking the owner on the nose. That sort of thing doesn’t occur now. Horses have lost their obstinacy and owners their sense of humour. The reminiscence was interrupted just then bv a fast run by another horse. His Warship had his man sized up to a fraction and winked wickedly before he spoke. 44 That thing.” lie announced with an air of authoritative finality, ‘'will Dogmatism is hateful at any time, and it is really past all that could be expected of the most tolerant of old timers to sit quietly by and permit it to pass unchecked in a mere youngster like his Worship. 44 Bah!” he said with disgust. “Another gold brick !’*

44 But with some dust on him. any- ’ way,” said his Worship, whose faculty for- repartee was working well. 44 Book at his legs, ’ said the old man. ‘Him a trotter! He’s a damned draught horse! It’s a pity what the field will do to him! ’ Old age doesn’t admit of the existence of perfection. All perfection ceased to exist twenty 3ears ago. Still, while there was always fault to find, the old man was tolerant sometimes, though he never got quite to the point of admitting that any of the horses out was good enough to win a race. An undoubted champion whirled past. He had a list of performances as long as his own imposing pedigree, and' he presented a fascinating picture of speed. 44 My word,” said his Worship, really enthusiastic, find not thinking of veteran baiting for the moment, 44 he is going well.” “He moves nicely ” admitted the old one, somewhat grudgingly; “but no speed no speed. He can’t get back his speed.” Gradually ■ the reminiscences r-eacli-d back to that first meeting held or. the A. and P. track, and the incidents were recalled in fragments. There was the story of the ponv that couldn’t get under the measure till its.shoes were taken off. When that operation had been performed it just managed to get under the measure and to qualify. But ere the race the trainer : put the shoes on again! But

they were good sports in those days, and thore was no protest. THE FIRST MEETING. It is interesting to recall the names of horses, owners and riders at that first meetiug held on November 7, 18S8. The officials were :—President, Mr W. Boag; vice-presidents, Messrs John Deans and J. C. N. Grigg; stewards, Hon J. T. Peacock. Messrs W. Boag, John Deans. J. C’. N. Grigg, G. King. H. Chatteris, A. W. Money, J. T. Ford. S. Garforth. J. Fergusson, W. Henderson, W. Jackson, H. M’llraith, A. Feather : judge. Mr George King; starter, Mr H. Piper; liandicappers, Messrs A. I. Rattray and H. Piper; honorary treasurer. Air George King; clerk of the scales, Mr S. Garforth. A report of the gathering in the 44 Lyttelton Times” stated:—The initial meeting of the newly-formed Canterbury Trotting Club was held on the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s’ grounds at Addington on Saturday. The weather was beautiful, and the attendance was one of tile largest seen at a suburban meeting for some time. Tlie arrangements, although hardly so complete as we may hope to see them later on, were fairly sat- ; isfactory, the absence of a telegraph I board and the lack of punctuality l>e- j nig the chief causes of complaint. The ? track, which is <5t57 yards in circum-

ference, and covered with grass, has been very carefully prepared, and it was found to be much better going than was generally anticipated. Mr J. H. Rattray made an indefatigable secretary, who will turn the experience of Saturday to good account, and Mr George King as judge, and Mr H. Piper as starter were the right men in the right places; but the honours of the day rested with, the liandicappers, Messrs H. Piper and A. I. Rattray, who succeeded in producing some of the best finishes ever seen in connection with the sport. The racing itself was first class. The opening event resulted in a deadheat, a thing almost without precedent in the trotting annals of this country, and the second race was won by a neck. The dead-heat was run off after tlie Pony Trot, when Jane utterly collapsed, and Dexter* won • as - ho liked. Sedgemere Lass would not pass under the standard for the Pony Trot until her shoes had been removed, and as they were tacked on again for the racej her owner was very fortunate to secure the stakes without a protest. Victor, going better than usual, got through a big field in the Three-mile Trot, and is credited with doing Bmin llsec. the best performance be has yet shown. Gipsy must also have made a fine record, as, starting 2Qsec behind the winner, she was not one hundred vards away when he-passed the post. Jess wen . the Novel Trot after a capital race, and although The Rogue won the Harness Trot rather easily.

Wait-a-While and Betsy both looked dangerous at one stage of the journey. Blue Gown compensated for previous disappointments by winning the Twomile Trot, but the feature of this event was the magnificent display made by Gipsy, who was rapidly overhauling the winner at the finish, and must have done something like ornin 25sec. Queenie ran right away from her field in the Consolation Handicap, and this concluded a good day’s sport, just as darkness was setting down, at halfpast six o'clock. Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin passed £1484 through the totalisator during the afternoon. The following are details of the day’s racing :—- MAIDEN TROT. (111 Saddle.) Of 20 sovs; about two miles. Mr J. Baker's b g Dexter, aged (Cox) t Mr G. Burke s b m Jane, 4yrs (Owner) t Mr W. Cliff's b h Blue Gown, oyrs (Harrington) . . .3 Lady Munster. Miss Small, Jenny. Biassome, Arian, Rose. Bachlieu. Misfortune, Hard Times. Our Nag and Waikari also started. Time Grain 7 l-ssec. In the run-off Dexter took the lead at the end of the. first mile, and won easily. Time— Gmin. 4jsee. HANDICAP PONY TROT. lln Saddle.; Of 15 sovs : about two miles, i Mr E. Sutherland's g m Sedgemere Lass, j aged. 15sec behind. (Farrar) 1 Mr T. Going’s Blk m Misfortune, Gyrs ; 20sec bhd. . <"W. Kerr) 2 1 Mr 11. Bannton's br m Emily, aged. 20sec bhd. (11. Keith) 3

Miss Polly Fcr. Megrims 13seo, Polly Plum 13see, Cymro ]3eec. Masai Maid 15s«c. Taradale 20sec. Shakespeare 43see and Betsy 60see also started. Time—6min 32sec. HANDICAP TIME TROT. (In Saddle.) Of 35 sovs; about three miles. Mr J. Rodrigue’s blk h Victor, aged, 40sec behind. (Owner) 1 Mr W. Cliffs b h Blue Gown, syrs scr. (Harrington) 2 Messrs W and C. Kerr’s-blk m Gipsy, jjSOsee. (C. Kerr) 3 Taiaroa. ssec. Titokawaru lOsec, Tommy 1 Spec, FLora Temple 20sec, Tommy Sunderlands 2v»sec, The Rogue 20sec, Shamrock 2Qsec, Wanda 25soe, Jumbo 35sec and Jimmy Browu GOsec also started. Time—--Bmin llsec. NOVEL RACE. Of 20 sovs; two miles. Mr J. Perkins's ch m Jess, aged. 20seo Mr M. Livingstone's br m Whalebone, J aged, laser. . , (Keith) 2 M:r T. Mulholland's g g Doctor, aged, ' aosee. 'Owner) 3 Sally issec, Jrchester losec and M.N. SOaee also started. Time—Grain 47seo. HANDICAP TIME TROT. (In Harness.) Of 35 sovs; about three miles. !4r R. Young’s b g The Rogue; aged 20sec. (Keith) 1 Messrs W. and C. Kerr’s b g Wait-a----l While, 6yrs, 60sec. (Kerr) 2 I Mr E. Murfit’s b in Betsy, aged, 35sec (Owner) 3 Maid of Orleans nor. Jimmy ssec,. Zella 18sec, Jenny 15sec, Patience ‘iOsec, Tommy 2osec, Dexter 23--ec, Jumbo 17sec. Bob Gawn 47sec, Jimmy Browu 50sec and Plunger sDsec, also started. Time—9min ‘2osee. TIME HANDICAP TROT. (111 Saddle.) Of. 20 sovs; about two miles. Mr W. Cliff's Blue Gown, oyrs, lOseo (Harrington) 1 Messrs W. and C. Kerr's Br m Gipsy. aged. SOsec. (Kerr) 2 Mr J. Smith s g g Gip, aged. 3pscc (Day) 3 Lofty scr, Queenie lOsec, Sappliline lOsec, Titokowaru 10.?ec. Bachlieu lOsec, Double Hill 13seo, Our Nag losec, Taiaroa iOsec, Shamrock 30sec, Lunatic 3osec, Madcap 86sec and Cock Robin 35sec also started. Time—Gmin. HANDICAP CONSOLATION TROT. (In Saddle.) Of 15 sovs; about two miles. Mr W. Storey's g m Queenie, aged. 50aec. (Keith) 1 Mr R. Sutherland's ch f Bob Gown aged, *2osec. (Farrar) 2 Mr W. Hammond's b g Hard Times, aged. 45300. (Rodrique) 3 Lunatic '2ssec. Madcap 27sec, Flora Temple SOsec and Emily oOsee also started, j Timo—Gmin 13sec. THE PRESENT TRACK. It was on November 6. 1899, that, on the amalgamation of the Can- ! ierbur.v and Lancaster Park Clubs, the present track at Addington was first used. The records tell us that the opening was made under happy auspices. “Visitors, riders and drivers,” stated a report, “were loud in their praises of the conveniences j and the new track, which are un- • doubtedlv the best to be found in the colony. The extraordinarily fast times ! registered led to the opinion being I expressed that probably the distances | were not quite correct, but the officials ! of the club appear to have not the slightest doubt on the point. Vickery paced two miles in the wonderful time of 4min 50sec. while many other animals considerably reduced their previous best performances..’* The horses that won at that meeting were General Standish, Little Magpie, Vasco (twice), Rinm, Vickery, Wandering Willie and Violetta Junr.

When, in 1920, the twenty-first meeting was held, the “ Star,” in a brief review, stated“ The intervening years, which can be well remembered by many patrons, have been marked by a period of progressiveness probably unequalled in any other sport. The officials of the club are continually being compelled to embark on extensive schemes to provide for their everincreasing patrons. When Addington was lirst laid out as a trotting course many asserted that it was on too pretentious a scale, but the appointments then in existence have long ago been scrapped, while the track itself had to be enlarged. It was quite obvious from the crowd present yesterday that the club is again in trouble to cater in

comfort for its patrons, and it is to be hoped, when the club removes to its new grounds on the Riccarton Road (sanguine prophecy!) that plenty of room will be provided for all future developments. ” BURNING OF THE STAND. If not the most notable, certainly the most sensational, event on the ground was the burning of the big stewards’ stand on November 7, 191(3. Just after the second race had been completed smoke was noticed issuing from the roof of the stand, which had been built only about a year. People on the lawns, who were the first to notice the smoke, called out and gesticulated to those on the stand, and, when the import of their warning became known, there was a hurried exit. There was no panic, for the fire at that stage seemed to he a very minor affair, and nobody imagined that within a very short space of time the whole stand would be demolished. Amateur firemen goc busy pending the arrival of the brigade, and their efforts were watched with amused interest by the people on the lawns. Even then the

serious nature of the outbreak bad not been realised, for though the amateur fire fighters were able to see plenty of smoke, they could not locate any fire. Cheers, laughter and illogical advice from those below testified to the light regard they paid to the ominously growing smoke clouds. Some over zealous people opened the window 6?, thus giving the fire the draught it needed, and by the time- the fire brigade arrived on the soHre Hhe flooring along the whole of the front of the uppey storey of the stand was blazing merrily. The trotting track was outside the fire area, and to the frantic appeals of the club officials, the fire brigade returned a refusal. Offers of guarantees by various-officers

of the club failed to have any effect on the adamant brigade. However, Superintendent Warner, who was on the ground, finally agreed to order out a Dennis motor pump, not to try to save the building —it had long since been doomed—but to try t-o save the big public stand which was endangered by the heat. This arrived at 1.35 p.m., over half an hour after the discovery of the fire, and was greeted by the crowd, which had no appreciation of the niceties of regulations, with hearty hooting. By 2 p.m. the whole of the top floor had been destroyed, and, in ono of the fiercest conflagrations seen in Christchurch, the remainder of the fine building was rapidly demolished. A remarkable circumstance was that, on the lower floors, pressmen and club officials continued at their work while the top blamed, and some of them had to make a hurried exit. There was one man, however, who outdid even the fire brigade in nonchalance. Throughout the early tumult on the top of the stand ho slumbered peacefully. Someone paused in his flight to seize him and shake him. The somnolent on© drowsily opened his eyes and

grunted a query. “ Stand's 071 fire.** roared the excited one. “Orright,’* murmured the other, and, quite satisfied to leave it at that, dropped his head again and relapsed in blissful unconsciousness. Stern measures had eventually to be taken to rouse hint to a sense of his danger, and indues him to beat a retreat. The Trotting Cup, delayed by the burning of the stand, started late. But the germ of unexpected excitement was still at work, for after a mile and a quarter had been covered, a number of horses and sulkies got mixed into a whirling somersaulting mass in front of the ruined stand, while drivers flew in all directions. There was heavy damage to sulkies, but horses and riders escaped inclusion in the seriously hurt list. After the argument had been settled, and a sufficient number of sulkies broken, the survivors went on with the race, which Cathedral Chimes won.

M. M’Carten appears to have taken the fancy of the Australian critics, and in that respect he fared much better than some other New Zealand jockeys who have visited the Commonwealth “ Pilot,” of the Sydney “ Referee,” summed up the New Zealander as follows:—M. M Garten, who won the Derby on Ballymena, returned to New Zealand last week. M’Carten made a good impression in every way, and when he visits Sydney again will command a fair amount of riding, apart from that of New Zealand owners with whom he is associated. M’Carten said he found very little difference between riding in races in Sydney and in New Zealand, and in reply to my query as to whether he struck any rough riding here, he replied: “No. I waa always fairly treated, and all the races in which I rode were very cleanly run-” This from a visiting jockey is an answer to those followers of the game who would have you think that manslaughter is the main object of some of our jockeys in nearly every race they ride. It is wonderful what a lack of genuine knowledge, aided by vivid imagination, causes people to imagine they see.

Writing in the ** Australasian. 7 * “ Teviotdale ” states that he had had a “ long conversation with the emperor of finance, Mr S* Green, after his arrival from America. He has a magnificent scheme afoot. As the very best method of improving our thoroughbred, he has the fixed idea of forming a syndicate, after the same fashion as the syndicade in England. Fifty thousand pounds would be the sum subscribed, and, say, £20,000 of this would be expended on the purchase of a high-class sire. The remainder would be used for the importation of several really good mares. The stud farms would be leased, not bought, and everything, of course, would be well covered by insurance.A stallion at £20,000 would be a very paying proposition, just as payable a one as the purchase of Tracery. The amount assured upon that horse, until the end of his first season, was £40,000.' and not more xhan forty mares are to be taken at 400 guineas each. Mr Green’s scheme would be a safe and an equally paying one out here, and I will bet you what you like that if he goes into the business with his tremendous energy, and with that acumen which is her, he will make the affair a complete success. It would have a very great effect upon our thoroughbred of the future. I hope we will all hear more of it very soon.”