WANGANUI TROTTING CLUB.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13331, 21 March 1911, Page 2

WANGANUI TROTTING CLUB.

The committee of ~the above met last evening, Mr C. E. Mackay presiding. Final arrangements in connection with the forthcoming meeting on Thursday and Friday were completed. REGlSTßATlON.—Correspondence was road re registration of the horses Zealwood and Daffeney, and a final letter of the secretary of the Association pointing out that under the amended rule the horses could not start. The' secretary said he regretted that under the amended rule lie had no option but to notify the owners that their horses could not compde at this meeting, as their registration jul not reached the secretary of the TrocV.ig Association prior to the date of the Uintonation. DEBAR AH.—Two telegrams from, the owner of Debarah were rend, asking why Ins horse's name was omitted from the list of acceptors, and stating that ho had never received the letter said to have, been posted last Monday notifying acccidance. STEWARDS AND COMMITTEE.—ResoIved that all members, of the committee and stewards meet on the racecourse at 12 noon on Thursday next. NUMBER STEWARD!—Resolved that Mr Chas. Young be asked to act as number steward.

By yesterday afternoon’s train a number of trotters arrived from the North, whilst several representatives from Napier and Christchurch arc already on the scene.

THE TROTTING HORSE. In speaking -of the trotting horse one’s thoughts at once turn to America, where undoubtedly the trotter has reached its highest perfection. But, after all, it was from the,imported English thoroughbred stallion Messenger that the best strain of trotting stock was derived. ! Foaled in 1/80, he was exported to Philadelphia in 1783, and, like his sire Mambrino, was grey in colour, 15 hands 3 inches high. The Americans therefore took up the trotter where their English cousins left, off, and by the skilful utilisation of English and native materials they have improved the animal and established the sport with astonishing success. As far as it known 'no records of speed wore kept until 1849, when Lady Suffolk covered the mile in 2.28. Since then, however, accurate records have been kept, and it shows how much trotting has improved in America in the last fifty years. The following are the world’s trotting and pacing records up till 1901: —Trotting— Lady. Suffolk, 1849, 2.28; Flora Temple, 1859, 2.1 p|; .Dexter, 1867, 2.17 i; Goldsmith Maid,‘lß74, 2.14; Rams, 1878. 2.13}; St. Julien, 1880, 2.11}: Maud S., 1885, 2.BSunol, 1891, 2.8}; Nancy Hanks, 1892, 2.74;- Alex, -1894.-2.sjfi; The Abbott, 1900, .2.3}-’; Gresccns, 1901, 2.2}. Pacing—Lena N,, 2.5}; Prince Albert. ■2.o}; Star Pointer, -1.59}; Dan ' Patch (American), 1.55. As the flying start is allowed in America, this makes the time faster than would be possible under local conditions, but at the same time one can see at a glance the room there is for improvement in the New Zealand trotter. AVe have, however, the best material, and with careful breeding and public encouragement there is no reason why New Zealand should not rank higher in the production of trotters. The trotting horse is a.-much move useful animal than the thoroughbred racer, aud the prices paid for some of the first-class per'formers shoAv the money there is in the game. Sunol was'sold for £B2OO, Orion fetched .£21,060, while' Mr Robert Bonner in 21 years paid £100,040 for 40 trotters and pacers.