AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 77, 14 January 1892, Page 2

AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB.

The second day of the Auckland Trotting Club took place last Saturday. The afternoon being fine, with a fine breeze to temper the heat, the attendance, considering the amount of racing there has been lately, was very large, there being between 1,500 and 2,000 present, and the grandstand was well patronised. The offi cials present, it is superfluous to say, worked hard to make the meeting a success, which it was, both as regards the racing and financially, notwithstanding the large amount of added money. Mr. F. Lawry acted as judge, but his duties were light, there being only one close race. Captain Kohn, who generally acts as time-keeper, was not present, therefore the time for some of the races was rather erroneous. Owing to Mr. E. D. Halstead’s absence at

Whangarei, Mr. J. Wattie acted as starter, was fairly successful. Mr. W. F. Marks was iW his accustomed place as clerk of the scales. Mr. C. F. Mark, the secretary, was everywhere, and notwithstanding some little trouble, he managed everything without losing his temper, and to him the success of the meeting is in a great measure due. l’he sum put through the totalisotor amounted to 10s. The fields were large, but beyond the accustomed breaking away there was nothing wrong to speak about The pony racing was exceedingly good, especially the Steeplechase, when the field kept well together for the first couple of miles. From the number of ponies that started, notwithstanding the penalty, tends to prove that their owners prefer Potter’s Paddock and good prizes to the suburban meetings. The only drawback is the jockeys, who are all inexperienced, as some of the regular ones will not run the risk of disqualification, but time will remedy this.

The races commenced with the Maiden Plate, for which thirteen moderate ones came to the post. Little Ben, 44-secs., 1 ; Tyrone, j6secs., 2 ; Napier, 3osecs., 3. Clyde, scratch, Mount, josecs., Fairy, 3osecs., Agnes, 3osecs., The Broker, 36secs., Larry, 4-osecs., Kaiwaka, 44-secs., Shamrock, 44sec., Juno,44sec.also ran. Little Ben went away with the lead, and though he broke badly several times, especially at the distance, passed the post by about four lengths first. Both Tyrone and Napier, who trotted well were coming very fast at the finish. The Stewards’ Handicap, five furlongs, brought out the large field of twelve ponies. The handicapping in this race was rendered in many instances futile by the amount of overweight carried by some of them. Gillie, 7st lolb (21b over), 1 ; Silkworm, Bst 71b, 2 ; Lady May, 6st 71b, 3. Red Rose, gst 121 b; Vampire, 9st gib, Lady Onslow, gst 71b; Coquette 11., Bst 61b (ulb over), Salvator, 7st 61b (61b over), Desmond, 6st 71b, Elsie, 7St 131 b (zolb over), Cyclops, 6st 71b, and Leo, gst 41b (391 b over). Cyclops bolted. The flag fell to a very moderate start, the three placed horses having the best. Gillie made the running and was never headed. Silkworm came at the distance, but could never get up, and was defeated by half a length ; a good third. The President’s Handicap of 100 soys., three miles, was the principal race of the day, fourteen facing the starter. Ruadan, 4osecs., 1 ; Scotchman, 6osecs., 2 ; Sandfly, 6osecs., 3. Clyde, scratch, Rarus, scratch, Sandgate, ssecs., Charlie, 2osecs., Bess, 25secs., Rover, 45secs., Midnight, 45secs., Napier, 45secs., Rambuster, 45secs., Tyrone, 55secs., and Nellie IL, &ssecs. Ruadan and Nellie 11. were made great favourites. Scotchman raked away in front, followed by Tyrone —Nellie, who would not settle down, third. In this order they passed the stand. There was no alteration until the second time round. When at the back of the course Ruadan began to work his way to the front. Passing the stand the last time, and trotting in fine style, he won easily; a moderate third, the tail being a very long one, some of the horses doing more cantering than trotting. Time, Bm. 47secs. * The Christmas Handicap, seven furlongs, brought out the good field of eleven ponies. Lady May, 6st 71b. 1 ; Pica, lostslb, 2 ; Gillie, Bst Ilb (including 71b penalty), 3. Vampire, gst 121 b, Lady Onslow, gst tolb, Red Rose, gst gib, Silkworm, Bst 51b, Desmond, 6st 71b, Tormentor, yst 71b, Little Jane, 7st 41b, and Little Raven, 6st 71b, also ran. Gillie and Pica were made favourites. The flag fell to a fair start, Red Rose being the first to show in front, followed by Lady May, Pica and Gillie, the rest in a cluster. At the back of the course Red Rose was beaten. Lady May assumed command, closely followed by Pica. These two were never headed, the former winning by a couple of lengths ; a bad third. Several of them were beaten off. Nine came out for the Handicap Pony Trot, two miles. Shamrock, 4osecs., 1 ; Jock, 30 secs., 2 ; Sandfly, 30 secs., 3. Myrtle, scratch, Maud S., i2sec., Little Dot, 2ssecs., Puhoi, 30 secs., Gaytime, 30 secs., and Trixy, 40 secs., also started. This race requires little description. Shamrock took the lead after going half a mile, Jock and Sandfly took second and third positions, Shamrock winning easily; a bad third.

Six came out for the Pony Steeplechase. For the first time past the stand Pica, Little Raven and Lady Onslow were in the fron£

. Going into the country the second time Little Raven fell. Pica then took the lead, followed by Lady Onslow and Despised. The last time round Ladv Onslow and Pica came away, running a good race home, the former winning by three lengths ; bad third. The others did not finish. Maud S. easily defeated Larry, Rambuster, and Lizzie for the Selling Trot, her opponents continually breaking. The Electric Trot Handicap, one mile, afforded the best race of the day. Seven came to the post for it. Jessie, 15 secs., 1 ; Hurricane, ysecs., 2. Karns, scratch, 3. Clyde, scratch, Sandgate, isec., Charlie, ysecs., Ruadan, 1 isec., and Rover, izsecs., also started. Jessie led all the way, just getting home a short head from Hurricane, who came very fast at the finish. Rarus, who was also gaining fast at the finish, being a good third. The time as given, zmin. rzsecs., could not be correct.