WANGANUI TROTTING CLUB.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12749, 21 April 1909, Page 2

WANGANUI TROTTING CLUB.

INAUGURAL TOTALISATOR MEETING

To-morrow the inaugural totalisator meeting of the Wanganui Trotting Club will commence, and it is pleasing to know that all indications point to the day's sport being most enjoyable. The exceptionally large fields which are assured, combined with the fact that the class of horses engaged is of the very best, indicates that some exciting trotting will be witnessed by the very big crowd which is bound to assemble to enjoy the fun, providing the weather is fine, of which there is every prospect at the time of writing. The rich stakes offered have drawn many of the best performers ib the Dominion to Wanganui, and the chance of seeing such high-class trotting is sure to attract a very large attendance of the public, for whose entertainment the club officials have made capital arrangements. The programme for to-morrow comprises seven events, the first of which will start at 12.15 p.m., and the remaining races will be run off at intervals of 40 minutes. During the intervals between the races the Wanganui Garrison Band, under Conductor A. Wade, will discourse some of their choicest music, the following splendid programme having been arranged: — March, "Cossack" (Rimmer); intermezzo, "Road to Moscow" (Loetz); selection, "The French Maid" (Slaughter); selection, "Old Memories" (Rimmer); valse, "Merry Widow" (Lehan); march, "The Giant" (Wadsworth); intermezzo, "Poppies" (Moret); overture, "Zampa" (Herold); selection, "Echoes of Switzerland" (Hume) ; air vaiie, "Welsh Melodies" (Rimmer) ; selection, "H.M.S. Pinafore" (Sullivan); march, "El Caprtan"'"(Sousa). Dustin's, Ltd , will have charge of the tea kiosks and luncheon booth, and Mr Tom Nixon will preside at the publican's booth, so that these departments will be under the best of management. • Messrs Neylon and Spriggens will manage the totalisator, and will run a halfsovereign machine on the outside and a pound machine inside. In addition to the tote, there will be a number of bookmakers present, so that those who wish to back their fancies will have ample opportunity of so doing. There are 17 engaged in the first event — the Maiden Trot— seven in the Kirkwood Pony Handicap, which follows, while in the big mo^ey (the Wanganui Cup) no fewer than 16 are left in, including such fine performers as Ladylove (virtual scratch, on Bsec), Aairana, Receiver, Harold, Abdallah, Huon Seal, Dick G., Glenidol, and other good ones. Great interest will be taken in this event, which is sure to be closely contested. Some splendid trotting should also be witnessed in the Hammond Handicap, Castlecliff Handicap, President's Handicap, and Dash Handicap, which follow in order. Altogether a capital day's sport may safely be anticipated, and the club should score a big success over the meeting if the weather is favourable. Mr J. H. Pollock, the well-known handicapper, was to have been at Trentham to-day watching the raring there, and tonight will adjust the handicaps for the second day of the Wellington meeting. After having got through this task he will motor to Palmerston North, in order to catch the morning train there for Wanganui to attend the Wanganui Trotting Club's meeting, for which he arranges the handicaps, as well as officiating as starter. A Hawera writer says, that Taranak:cwned horses are freely engaged at the Wanganui gathering and with a number of fair average class included among them, a reasonable percentage of the spoils may be anticipated with some confidence. The t-ypar-old pacing colt Rothschiid Lad who shows good etyle, v.-as seen during the week by the writer undergoing exercise -with gear and saddle on a soft stretch of the Mountain. Road. Bob E.T., an aged pacer by Boccacio, is showing improvement in speed under the direction of Harry Francis. This horse races in either saddle or harness and his best time in. the past was a mile m something under 2.40 sees. /rr Mr J> M * Currin '» b *y mare Misfortune (Honduras— Pet), who ran a second at Opunake, can muster a fast pace but breaks badly. This mare, who trots with clean and free action, is a very promising sort and her owner is noV trying her in harness. The Manaia-owned mare Austrey is unquestionably very fast, and as she is credited with' a mile in 2.19 sees, it cannot be agreed that she is badly treated with a 5 sec. start in .each of the mile events on the first day.

Jervis, "who won several district races last season., looks very well treated in the Kirkwood Pony Handicap with 28secs. allowance.

In the Cup Handicap, of 2 miles, Airana, who is a capital stayer and probably the best long distance trotter we have seen in Taranaki, catches the eye with a start of lOsecs. Young Victor, in the same race, with a 40secs. allowance is also an excellent mover.