MASTERTON TROTTING CLUB.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 8945, 20 December 1907, Page 5

MASTERTON TROTTING CLUB.

President, Mr W. D. Watson; VicePresidents, Mesrs F. Hill, J. O'Meara, O. H. Smith aud J. Cress; Timekeopor, Mr F. Hill; Judge, Mr O. H. Smith ; Handicapper, Mr J. H. Pollock; Clerk of Course, Mr Herbert Welch ; Clerk of Scales, Mr A. Snodgrass; Auditor, Mr G. W. Sellar; Starter, Mr A. Cometti; Stewards, Messrs Frank Buick, W. H. Buick, W. Cooper, W. Oragg, J. Dixon, F. E. Dorset, R. J. Hoclgins, W. lorus, T. W. Miller, D. McNair, O. A. Powuali, A. Snodgrass, 11. Welch, W. Whittaker, G. H. Yatos, H. O'Dounell, T. Porter, and W. J. Fly.

Tho attendance at tho meetiug of the Masterton Trotting Club, held on tho A., and P. Showgrounds yostorday afternoon, was not in proportion to the merits of the racing. Some very good finishes were witnessed, Auctioneer IL especially distinguishing himself by capturing tho District and Borough Handicaps, of one and a-half aud two milos respectively, with only one race intervening, aud from very stiff handicaps. Mr W. I). Watson, the owner, who is President of the Club, heartily deserved his wins, as he is a true sport. Auctioneer was loudly applauded for his success. Tho big money went to Cliildstono, a bay colt belonging to Mr T. McGratli, wiio boat Rockwood, also owned by Mr Watson, affcor a groat finish. Tho performances right through wero very meritorious, and it is a groat pity the public did not support the meeting moro. Tho weather was showery throughout the afternoon, hut the grandstands were thrown open free at the commencement of the rain, aud little discomfort ensued excopt to the competitors.

The vow Gaming Act had a salutary effect ou tho totalisator receipts, which fell to loss thau a third of the investments at last meeting. The figures last yoar wero £1787, aud yesterday only £522. The presence of two bookmakers ou the course accounted mostly for the big reduction iv receipts, as tho bulk of tho betting fell to tho pencillers.

The appointments were very complete, tho Secretary (Mr A. Hathaway) aud his assistaut (Mr W. Gillespie) working hard to make the meeting a success, and the other officials being prompt and painstaking. Mr Reihaua Boyes' orchestra played selections in the grandstand duriug the afternoon. From a sporting aspect the meeting was really most successful aucl enjoyable. Following are the detailed results :— MAIDEN HANDICAP (saddle or harness), one mile. P. Auld'sb m Tuhiraugi, 4yrs, 3sec (H. Mouldy) 1 J. West's eh m Ngaraima, 4yrs, 3secs (J. West) .. 2 S. Liddiugtou's b m Deborah, 4ys, 7secs (R. Falloou) .. 3 Post Boy, lOsecs, also started, aud led for half a round. Tuhiraugi theu assumed command and won easily. Time, 2miu 47sees. Two fines were imposed of 10s each—one ou the owner of the winner for late weighing-in, aud the other ou Deborah's owner for racing iv the wrong colours. TRIAL TROT (saddle or barues), oue mile aud a half. J. West's eh m Ticket, oyrs, 7soc (J. West)* .. 1 S. Liddiugtou's b m Deborah, 4yrs,

7secs (R. Falloou) B. Wadham's cli m Vannie, aged, fisecs (W. Jensen)

Also started—Post Boy, 12secs. One round had hardly beeu traversed when the first aud second horses assumed the positions they finished in. The other starters ' broke continually. Time, 4min 2(>secs. MASTERTON TROTTING CLUB'S HANDICAP (saddle or harness), two miles. T. McGrath's b 0 Ohild. tone, 3yrs, 4Ssecs (N. C. Price) .. 1 W. D. Watson's br g Rockwood, aged, 48secs (T. Te Tau) . . 2 B. Wadham's blk m Glory, aged, 3(isecs (R. P. Maxted) .. 3 Also started —Magnet 32secs, Miss Rothschild 4osecs, Gentleman Jack 48secs. This was a splendid race aud some good stepping was done by the winner and second horse, while Glory also did exceedingly well under an adverse haudicap. Rockwood would probably have wou but for breaking about a furlong from home. He was only beaten by half a length. Time, omin 35secs. DISTRICT HANDICAP (saddle only), oue mile and a half. W. D. Watson's g g Auctioneer, aged, scr (J. Greig) .. 1 P. Auld's b m Tuhiraugi, syrs, 27secs (H. Mouldy) .. 2 T. Te Tau's br m Apology, aged, 24secs (owner) .. 3

Also started—Fairfield 11., 22secs, Vauuie, 24 sees, Giggles, 24secs. Auctioneer displayed superlative trotting qualities, aud was able to overhaul the field about a furlong from home. The second horse lost auy chauce she might have had by breaking at the back of the course in the last round. Time, 3min 40sec. STEWARD'S HANDICAP (saddle or harness), one mile and a-half. B. Wadham's blk m Glory, aged, 27sec (R. P. Maxted) .. 1 W. Morris' b g Giggles, syrs, 27sec (Owner) .. 2 H. J. Woodfield's br m Lotus, aged, 22sec (D. Ryan) .. 3 Also started—Magnet 24sec. Glory led from the start, aud beiug capably handled was never really threatened, although Giggles was going well up to the last round. Magnet nearly came dowu through his hobbles slipping slightly. Time, 4min 19sec. BOROUGH HANDICAP (saddle or harness), two miles. W. D. Watson's g g Auctioneer, aged, 12sec behind scr (J. Greig) 1 W. D. Watson's br g Rockwood, aged, 35sec (T. Te Tau) .. 2 W. Morris' b g Postboy, syrs, 40sec (G. Morris) .. 3 Also started—Vannie aud Miss Rothschild, 32sec; Childstone aud Gentleman Jack, 35sec. Rockwood assumed the lead in the second round aud maintained this position until the last lap, when Auctioneer, going with great action, took charge and won comfortably. Time, 4min 57sec. ELECTRIC HANDICAP (saddle or harness), one mile. S. J. Gallagher's b m Teeny G., 3yrs, 20sec (Owner) .. 1 J. West's eh m Ngaraima, 4yrs, 13sec (Owner) .. 2 J. Montgomery's b g Fairfield 11., aged, I4sec (O. O'Brien) .. 3 Also started.—Giggles 12sec, Glory 6sec. The winner was out on her own all the way. Most of the others broke several times. Time, 3min 2sec.