N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club Improves Conditions.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18467, 19 May 1928, Page 2

N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club Improves Conditions.

REDUCED LIMITS AND HIGHER STAKES FOR THE NOVEMBER MEETING.

(BY “ OBSERVER.”) In reducing the limits of the New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Dominion Handicap (the two chief events decided, at the November Carnival for and trotters respectively), the Metropolitan Trotting Club has taken another progressive step which will meet with the approval of all followers of light-harness racing. The Trotting Cup. For the past two seasons the conditions of'the New Zealand Trotting Cup —the principal race of the year, decided over two miles—have been for h’orses that have done or been handicapped to do 4.28 or better. After the Easter meeting of the Metropolitan Club, it was apparent that, in view of the large number of horses w’hich had qualified since the running of the Cup race last Novmeber, something was necessary to restrict the field to reasonable proportions. Under these conditions, twenty-nine horses were eligible for nomination for the previous race, but Nelson Derby and Pedro Pronto were retired to the stud, and some others, including Native Chief and St Maura, neither of which had run within four seconds of this limit, and who were entitled to start only because they had been handicapped to do 4min 28sec, failed to avail themselves of their privileges, so that twenty-two horses nominated, and were handicapped for the race. Of these, Ahuriri, Waitaki Girl 2-nd Jack Potts failed to survive the first payment, and Sheik and Locanda Mac were later withdrawn, so that a field of seventeen faced the starter for the big event. Although several others had qualified to start, this field of, seventeen was really much too big to

provide the best racing results, and give every horse a proper chance of winning, so that with the additional horses available, it was obvious that something was necessary to exclude a good number from next season’s contest. For next season’s Cup race (decided on the first day of the November meeting this year) the class has been restricted to horses which hive done or been handicapped to do 4.26 or better, and the premier club is to be congratulated on its step in reducing the limit of the event by a further two seconds. Even now, as will be seen from the following lists of horses which have qualified, the number of available competitors is more than ample. The following horses are eligible by reason of having covered the two mile journey in the times set opposite their respective names; — Great Bingen—4.l9 2-5. Waitaki Girl—4.22. Prince Pointer—4.22. Jewel Pointer—4,23 2-5. Jack Potts—4.23 4-5. Man o' War—4.24. Acron —4.24. Great Hope—-4.24 2-5. Queen’s 0wn—4.24 2-5. Ahuriri—4.2s. Terence Di110n—4.25. Talaro—4.2s. Macfiine Gun—4.2s 2-5. Black Admiral—4.2s 2-5. Imprint—4.2s 3-5. Kohara—4.2s 4-5. Peter Bingen—4.2s 4-5. In addition to these, the following have qualified by virtue of being handicapped to do 4.26 or better: Logan Chief—4.26 1-5. Sea Pearl—4.26 2-5. Padlock —4.2 C 3-5. Loganwood—4.27 2-5. Dalnahine —4.28 2-5. It will be seen, therefore, that there are at least twenty-two horses available for the big event next November, and, in addition to these, there is still an opportunity for such good ones as Cardinal Logan, Logan Park, Taurekareka, Tom Thumb and Author Jinks to qualify. It is pleasing indeed to see the Cup conditions framed so that the limit should not exceed 60 yards. For years past we have seen backmarkers attempting to concede ridiculously long starts to improving horses, but, under this year's conditions; there is every hope of a reasonably short limit. It will be found that the tightening

of the principal event has a more farreaching effect than the mere restriction of class and consequent improvement of contest in this particular race. For example, the next best class for pacers on Cup day, will probably be 4.26 to 4.31, which in itself should provide a contest much above the ordinary. Then again, the classes for the other principal races on the Metropolitan Club’s programme will surely be reduced accordingly, and ' when it is mentioned that a 4.28 class caters for at least thirty-three horses, the first-class event of any day’s programme will surely not be outside this limit. The reducing of the class is undoubtedly a wise and necessary move, but some maintain that it should have been carried even further, and made a 4.25. This would have provided a very short limit, and at least eighteen horses would be entitled to compete. There is no doubt that a 4.25 class would attract a sufficiently large field to do justice to the stake, but, in the meantime, we must be thankful for the progressive step, and hope that, if justified, the limit will again be reduced next year. The Trotters. In a recent number of the “ Star ” a special plea was made for the good trotters, and it was then a'dvocated that the limit of the Dominion Handicap—the principal event of the year for unhoppled trotters —should be reduced to 4.34 at least. The last event was a 4.38 class, so that, in restricting the next race to horses that have done or been handicapped to do 4.34 or fetter, the club has made an even greater advance than in the case of the New Zealand Trotting Cup. That this step is entirely justified is obvious from a

perusal of the list of prospective entrants. The following have qualified on tjie time basis;— Escapade—4.27 1-5. Trampfast—4.2B 1-5. Peterwah 4.30 2-5. Native Star—4.3o 2-5. Peter Swift—4.3o 3-5.. Elzear—4.3o 4-5. Young: Blake—4.3l. Waikaha—4.3l 2-5. John Mauritius—4.3l 2-5. Moneyspider—4.32 2-5. Napland—4.32 4-5. Sister Beatrice—4.33. Audominipn—4.33 4-5. Betty Moko, Engagement and Judge Hancock have been handicapped to do 4.34 or better. These sixteen trotters should be capable of staging a wonderful contest and there appears a splendid chance of the Northern cracks, Waikaha, Sister Beatrice and Betty Moko at last being seen in action at Addington, while Peterwah, Escapade and Trampfast will have their long looked-for opportunity of competing against horses of their own gait, without having to give away impossible starts. It is to be hoped that the club will carry the tightenings of the unhoppled classes to its logical conclusion, and restrict the other chief races at its principal meetings to at least a 4.36 limit. The Metropolitan Club’s first duty should be to continue catering for the best class of competitor, because, after all. there are ample opportunities for middle-class horses. The work done by the Metropolitan Club has aroused great enthusiasm, and already the November meeting is being looked forward to. With the improved horses and improved classes, there is every prospect of this meeting proving the greatest carnival in the history of New Zealand trotting’. Prize Money Increased. In view of the fact that the totalisator returns for the Metropolitan Club’s meetings this year showed an increase of £46,837 10s, it is not surprising to find that the prize money for next season is being increased by £IOOO. This makes the total £36,000, or. an average of £4OOO per day. The stake-money for the New Zealand Trotting Cup remains at £3OOO, but it is to be hoped that the Dominion Trotting Handicap may be raised past the present mark of £IOOO