ONSLOW TROTTING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 70, 26 November 1891, Page 5

ONSLOW TROTTING CLUB.

The above newly-formed Club held their first meeting at Potter’s Paddock last Saturday. The weather was fine, but a fresh breeze blowing made it at times rather dusty. The attendance was large, notwithstanding the counter attractions of the Amateur Athletic Sports in the Domain, there being at least 1,200 persons on the ground, the grandstand and paddock being inconveniently crowded. Mr- Buckland, who had been appointed judge, was not present, so Mr. James Hayr filled his place, which was rather a sinecure, as there were no close finishes. Mr. E. P. Goldsbro’, the secretary, worked hard, but he could not be everywhere, and he was not efficiently backed up. Mr. W. T. Davies was the clerk of the course. The handicappers, Messrs. Laurie, T. D. Halstead, and Quinlan, made the same mistake as all Auckland trotting handicappers do, that is giving too much start. It is quite impossible for the scratch horse to have a chance, especially as many of them have what you may call “ the go as you please style, and it is a track that a true trotter cannot make fast time over as it is too uneven. The horses that started in the different races were of a very mediocre character, there being only four or five true trotters amongst them, the first being Sandgate, whose day will soon come, as he gets over the ground at a good pace, and Maud S. ; but neither of them have the true tiotting gait, being more adapted for the road than the track. One thing must have astonished those that know anything of trotting. For the Handicap Trot of yosovs, three miles, Rambuster, sosec. won easily ; Chili, 55sec, being second. They came out'for the Selling Race, two and a-half miles, later in the afternoon, all horses being entered to be sold for nil. Maud S., the pony, won anyhow, Chili being second, Rambuster third. Rather a reversal of form, but no notice was taken of it, Maud S. being a great favourite. There were two protest during the afternoon. The first was against Scotchman for not trotting fairly in the first race. Much to the surprise of many the case was dismissed. Scotchman, as usual, came out with toe plates, knee pads, etc. He broke more than once, breaking badly in the last two hundred yards, and was not pulled down immediately. At the best he is only a “ racker,” and should never be entered for a trotting race. Both the second and third broke several times, especially towards the. end of the race. Bess, ssec, who passed the post fourth, should have got the race, as she trotted the fairest of any of them. The second protest was as regards the ownership of Red Rose, she being objected to as being the property of Greenwood, who has been disqualified for foul riding, but Mr. Hill proved that she had only been leased to him, so it also was dismissed. The results of the racing will be found in another column. The Committee have a good deal to learn before they make these races a success. In the first thing they must be more particular about the trotting, as a fair trotter does not stand much chance with the “go as you please ” sort. It is the same fault with all the meetings at Potter’s Paddock. There should be at least four judges that understand their business placed around the course to call out anv that are not going fair. If this was done a few times one would see much fairer trotting. It would, at the same time, induce owners to get better horses, the trotters at present in Auckland are not worthy of the name, and would not suit a West End London butcher. . The races commenced forty minutes late, but the fields being small Mr. Goldsbro’ was able to make up time, so all were able to get home in good time, the tram service being well worked. The results of the different events will be found in another column.