WAIKATO TROTTING CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13209, 26 June 1915, Page 4

WAIKATO TROTTING CLUB.

SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING.

Trots for Hamilton have only been an established sport for the past six years. The local club was inaugurated by -Messrs J. Toddy, 11. Rowland. E. Tristram, E. Goodwin, and F. Quin, all enthusiastic horse owners and breeders, who, knowing what the district was capable'of producing in the way of trotting steeds, considered the prospects of an annual meeting fairly sound. The success of the initial assembly gave the committee heart, for the first bal-ance-sheet showed a substantial profit. All went well with the club until the new racing legislation was brought in abolishing the bookmaker and limiting the number of totalisator permits. As a result of its first experience under the now conditions, the club not only parted with its surplus, but came out with a debit balance. Seeing the futility of proceeding without the necessary interest which the bookmaker or totalisator. give to any race meeting, the club decided, to allow last year's meeting to lapse, but in the meantime determined to spare no efforts to secure a totalisator permit. In this they were eventually successful, the necessary sanction being obtained only a few weeks ago. The club immediately set to work to arrange a meeting at the earliest date, and receiving substantial help in a cheque for £l5O from the Auckland Trotting Club, an excellent programme was drawn up and submitted at the Claudelands course to-day. The stakes total £SOO, and the acceptances, which are very numerous, are evenly distributed over th e whole programme. They include some of the finest trotting blood in New Zealand, and are drawn from rll parts of the Dominion. The Waikato Trotting Cup carries with it £l5O, which is coveted by no less than 17 o,wners. Unfortunately, owing to the granting of the permit l>eing so long delayed, the date of the meeting is considerably later than the committee would have ordinarily selected, and instead of an autumn meeting the club has had to content itself with a mid-winter one, with the many accompanying disadvantages. Recently a considerable amount of excellent work has been carried out at the course, which, under iverage conditions, may be classed amongst the finest in the Island, and certainly, for a grass track, is far superior to the majority. The heavy rain of the past fortnight, has, however, rendered the ground very spongy, and to-day the surface is gradually working into a slime as the meeting proceeds. The heaviness of the turf is favouring strong horses, and working somewhat to the detriment of the pacers. A considerable amount of time has been devoted to the arrangements during the past few weeks by the president, Mr J. Dalgliesh, the vicepresidents, Messrs E. Goodwin, H. Rowland and F. C. Hand, w,hile the secretary, Mr Arthur J. Smith, has done excellent work. The committee consists of Messrs Goodwin, Teddy, Brind, Hooper, Dalgliesh, Robb, Stewart, Greenslade, J. Clarkin, Newell, Rowland, Speight, McDonald, F. Potts, Bollard and Matthews. The starter was Mi- F. W. Edwards, who got the runners away to time. Mr A. B. Cassidy conducted his duties as clerk of the course very satisfactorily. Messrs S. Harker and F. D. Yonge acted as timekeepers. The decisions of Mr E. Goodwin as judge gave general satisfaction. Despite the showery weather the attendance was good.

The results are as follow: INTRODUCTORY HANDICAP. Of 40 sovs; 1£ mile; saddle. J. W. Pee's Congo (Greenwood), scr 1 A. Williamson's Eruption (owner) 6sec 2 J. Julian's Fitzroy (owner), 3sec ... 3 Scratched: Native Boy and Roseate. Eruption held the lead for the greater part of the distance', the favourite drawing up along the straight and winning by half-a-head only. Time, 4min 20sec. CIVAUDELANDS HANDICAP. Of 40 sovs; mile; harness. L. Bayly's Belgian Queen (owner), scr l R. A. McMillan's Salamander (owner), 9sec 2 J. Breen's Admiral Hal (Bryce), 7sec 3 Scratched : Hyman,. Derby Dillon, Jaylyn, Roskill Belle. The rush up the straight saw Salamander holding his own, but Belgian Queen made an effort in the last few yards, and won by lialf-a-length. Time, 4min 9 3-ssec. WATKATO TROTTING CUP. Of 150 sovs; 2 miles; harness. Cucksey's Clive (McMasters, 12sec 1 C. E. Ball's Kirikiriroa (Herd), 21sec 2 Preece and Hamilton's Floranz (Hamilton), 14sec 3 Scratched St. Ursula and Rothchild Excelsior. Kirikiriroa got well hold of the traek from the start, and held his advantage till well into the straight. Here a tough run for first honours ensued, Cucksey's gelding getting in by a bare length. Time, smin 17sec. NAPIER PARK RACES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. NAPIER, Friday. Napier Steeples—Glenmore 1, Bollin 2, Naupata 3. Bracelet—St. Elm 1, Hikahakeke 2, Red Book 3. Ahuriri Hurdles—Kew 1, B;aeburn 2. Vi 3. Settlers' Hack Handicap—Conziska 1, Bodenham 2, Papauira 3. NAPIER, Saturday. The weather was fine for tho second day's racing, but the heavy showers overnight made the course heavy. The following are the results : Brooklands Hack.—Hushabye 1, Conziska 2, Bodenham 3. Scr.: Cherry Blossom. Won by two lengths. Time, lmin 21 sec. Waiohiki Hurdles.—Unatangata 1, Scrutineer 2, St. Elnin 3. Scr. : Brunswick and Doggerbank. Won easily. Time, 2min 47 1-osec.