TROTTING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 280, 26 November 1936, Page 4

TROTTING

HEAVY SOAKING FORBURY PARK TRACK [ Per Press Association. | DUNEDIN, Nov. 25. Though two inches of rain fell in 16 hours up to 9 o’clock this morning, no flooding is reported. Forbury Park was soaked this morning, but the track clears rapidly, and with the rain now subdued to a drizzle it should be fit for racing at to-mor-row's trots. HAROLD LOGAN AT FORBURY Harold Logan has been taken to Dunedin to give exhibitions at the Forbury Park Trotting Club's meeting to-day and Saturday. If conditions are suitable, he will attempt to lower Indianapolis’ track record of 2min. 3 3-ssec. for a mile. MANAWATU CLUB NEW TRACK OPENED. FAVOURABLE COMMENT. The opening of its new training track on Saturday was presented by the Manawatu Trotting Club with exhibitions of pacing and trotting, which provided fine entertainment for the attendance of followers of th 4 lightharness sport and sportsmen drawn from over a wide area, states the Manawatu Standard. It. marked a very important day in the history of the sport in the district, for progress in trotting has been hampered to a large extent by the lack of suitable training facilities in Palmerston North: but the new training course on Mr. A. G. Farland’s property in Fitzroy Street, provides a track which will meet local requirements for a long time and will eventually mean the attraction of many trainers and trotting horses to take advantage of the central location of Palmerston North and the splendid training facilities provided. There were about 100 spectators al. the gathering while about 150 cars parked in the vicinity indicated the wide interest the function had created. The new training track has exceeded the expectations of even the club members responsible for ils construction, and on Saturday the visitors, especially the trotting fraternity who best, understand the conditions and aspects of tracks, expressed surprise that such a fine training area had been laid down. The track, which is five furlongs in circumference, has been splendidly banked, with good corners and entirely satisfactory straights. It has been well piped and when it settles properly there should be a track which can be used under almost any weather conditions. Being over 24 feet wide at its narrowest parts, there is ample room for two or three horses to be worked together, and stalls, yards and a washdown are other amenities offered on this compact, but very complete training course which is situated very little more than a mile away from the heart of the city. Mr. W. Mouldey, the president of the club, and an indefatigable worker for its progress and the popularising of the sport in the district, welcomed the large number of interested sportsmen present. The gathering, he said, was in nature an impromtu affair, and that the official opening should be so well attended heartened him and his fellow officers to exert, every endeavour to completely promote lhe sport of trotting in this district. The matter of furnishing a suitable training area for owners and trainers of trotters had given the club a good deal of concern, but It was the general opinion that, the new track would be, following upon a general working up. the equal of any in the Dominion and would fulfill the requirements of owners for many years to come. Palmerston North lent, itself to becoming a great centre for trotting, as well as other sports, and Mr. Mouldey assured them that the club was out to do its part for the general welfare of city and district. As a result of the club furnishing suitable training facilities It had been reported that several outside trainers were contemplating settling in Palmerston North. However, the actual racing fixtures would be held as heretofore at Awapuni, where the facilities for racing and trotting were unrivalled. The president, voiced the club’s appreciation at the action of Mr. Farland in placing the area at. its command, adding that the generous action of Mr. Farland would go a long way toward I developing the sport, in the Manawatu. Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., congratulated the club on the step it had taken, adding that the foresight which had Been displayed would mean much to the club and tho sport in the future. Every new owner and trainer attracted to Palmerston North by lhe facilities the club could now offer, meant, more money to be spent among the business people of the city. While racing had been termed the sport of kings, trotting was the sport of the masses, and he hoped that the club would make a practice of holding such a gathering annually. Afternoon tea and refreshments were served throughout the course of a very happy function. Exhibition Race Results The afternoon’s sport was opened with a pony race for children, four competitors facing the starter. Master W. Farland, who showed good judgement and timing in handling his mount, won decisively from Masters A. Graham and D. Sexton, there being four starters. A trotters’ and pacers’ handicap (in saddle), of one mile and a-half resulted:—Mr. J. Flanagan’s Activity, 96yds. bhd, 1; Mr. H. Hasler’s Juggler. 84yds. bhd, 2; Mr. F. Edmond's Native Bush. 3. Won comfortably. The maiden pacers’ handicap (harness), one mile and a-half, resulted:— Mr. H. J. Woodfield’s Hal Pointer, scr.. 1: Mr. J. A. Mitchell’s Jimmy, scr., 2; Mr. W. Price Red Mac, scr, 3. Hal Pointer ran to the front on the final circuit, to win nicely. The trotters’ handicap (harness), of one mile and a-half resulted:—Mr. A. Farland’s Aerial Boy, 84yds behind, 1: Mr. D. W. Hansen’s King Franz, 84yds. bhd., 2; Mr. F. Edmond’s Native Bush, scr., 3. Aerial Boy went very smoothly throughout, winning by three lengths from King Franz, who went well after being slow off the mark. A pacer’s handicap (harness) of one mile and a-half resulted:—Mr. A. Farland’s Franz Derby, 1; Mr. J. D.

Cooksley's Orleigh Mills, 2; Mr. H. J. Woodfield’s Hal Pointer, 3. The prizes were presented to the c successful competitors by Mr Mouldej', c each one being warmly applauded.’ The president, also took the opportunity to express the club's thanks to the trainers for their support, mentioning that Mesrs. J. Flanagan and J. D. Cooksley had brought horses from Otaki without, knowledge that there were prizes to be won. Mr. J. A. Mitchell, of Longburn, had also been good enough to furnish entries with two of his horses although they were not far enough advanced for serious racing, while the Ashurst trainers had also rendered valuable assistance. One keen owner-trainer, Mr. W. Heginbotham, of Waverley, had come through from Taranaki especially for < the occasion and the club was deeply 1 grateful for the assistance which had J been given in this direction. Thanks 1 were also due to Mrs. A. Farland, ■ Messrs. A. Oliver, A. G. Farland. e'. 1 F. C. Hines, H. E. Mouldey, W. Peters, ■ Wilson, Canham and Coy., the Para 1 Rubber Coy., and an anonymous ( donor for contributions toward the ' trophy fund. ]