ROTTING.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17365, 29 March 1928, Page 2

ROTTING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS, ;THE THAMEB MEETING. (By "Adonis.") The decrease of £233 in the totalisator turnover at Thames could, no doubt, be attributed to several causes, but when the pros and cons are thoroughly dissected it may not be far wrong to suggest that the' main causes were the big fields where backers were afraid to invest with confidence and also the extensive dividends returned throughout the day when the bulk of the money went into the pockets of the few. Had favourites been successful, the totalisator returns would have advanced, despite the counter attraction at Tauranga,

Gold Jacket's Win.

Gold Jacket's win did net come as a surprise to keen students of form and it was more or less astonishing to see him paying such a great dividend. As mentioned previously in these columns after his fourth in the Waikato Cup his chances had to be taken into serious account. When driven a waiting race in future he should be seen to further advantage. Will be at Wanganul. Peter Pirate was not quite ready when he got defeated narrowly by Cornelian and for a new comer to the game he must be given every possible chance when thoroughly attuned. He went under to a brilliant njare and his defeat was only brought about by him tangling when the persuasive stick was applied. Peter Pirate should go well at Wanganui. Form did not work out true at the gathering and those who witnessed Etta Cole's?mediocre display will quite agree. After failing at the Otahuhu meeting in her first two starts under silk She spread-eagled a field of trotters at Claudelands later, and on that performance should have done better in the Parawai Handicap. Her supporters are confident' that improved results are in store for her before long. . Heavily Supported. Special Bell had not recorded anything sufficiently startling to warrant such heavy support as was extended to him in the Parawai Handicap, when he returned less than even money for his success. As he made frequent mistakes on the journey it would have only required another to have cracked on the pace and he would have found the job much harder. As it was he improved on his handicap time only a fraction, and as the track was very fast the effort is not worthy of particular mention. When Warplane had his first race he showed up for a time at the last meeting at Claudelands and good judges were ticking him off to soon get

on the winning list. He accounted for the firs/ division of the Hikutaia ' tou'c the general opinion.was & that had Nelson Dillon, who ran second, not hud to come out wide at the head of ttoe stra'ght he would have I reverse Be that as it SLrS,. airplane is yet a baby at the Bta£Jlfe,.-nd is sure to go on improving. Jwiiaouid.be benefited by the racing W* In Warspke, another of the gets of Man-o'-War, R. Hall appears to have one likely to emulate the action of ■''■■ Warplane and get on 'the winning list ' early in his career. His third, though nothing brilliant, should not take a lot to improve on and the Mangcre trainer will now have a line on which races and courses should suit him best. ■

Congestion and Charges,

Aucklanders who travelled by car to Thames were pleased to see the new bridge practically completed. The crossing at Kopu Iras been a nightmare for some time and last Saturday, owjng to the heavy traffic, a large number of enthusiasts did not reach the course till 2 p.m. Apart from the delay the extra. charge appeared to he harsh. Racegoers are so often exploited that they take the whole business as a matter of course but 6s for a car and driver and Is Gd per head for passengers return tickets appeared to be above the odds to be conveyed across the stream. When the bridge is completed Auckland sportsmen will be lighter in heart and also in pocket. Now that the Thames Club is well on the way to success several owners are speculating as to whether they will reduce the time limits attached to the slow class events. If one were to take a vote on the question very few owners and trainers would be in favour for with the Metropolitan clubs debarring maiden pacers and slow class performers from competing the only places where they are eligible are at the country gatherings and if the small clubs start on a reduction in the limits of the slow events, maidens and others will find it a hard job to have a chance to get a little money. As a matter of fact its hard enough for them now and if any more obstacles are placed }n their will go out of the and the sport will