ONSLOW TROTTING CLUB’S MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 85, 10 March 1892, Page 2

ONSLOW TROTTING CLUB’S MEETING.

The Onslow Trotting Club's second race meeting held at Potter’s Paddock, Epsom, on Saturday last must be pronounced an unqualified success. There were not a few predicted, and we fear even hoped, that this young club would die a natural death after its inaugural meeting, and the obstacles which had from the start been thrown in their way seemed almost unsurmountable and would have damped the ardour of most combinations. Those at the head of affairs of the Onslow Club are, however, men who are not easily thwarted in anything in which they make up their minds to carry out to a successful issue, and Saturday’s results from a financial point of view must be highly gratifying to them. Every arrangement of detail had been attended to by Mr. E. P. Goldsbro’, the secretary, who was indefatigable in his energies on the day of the races, and considering his inexperience, he must be complimented for the manner in which he carried out his multifarious duties. Saturday morning broke out very dull and rain was threatened, but later on in the day it cleared up beautifully fine, and a large attendance was confidently expected. Mr. Kidd, of Patterson and Co., had the stand, saddling paddock, and course beautifully clean and in “ apple pie ” order for

the occasion. Mr. A. R. Hunter’s Artillery Band was engaged, and discoursed a good programme of music during the afternoon, In this, however, there was a slight fault, viz., like the “ apple pie,” there was not enough of it. Mr. T. McEwin had been engaged to provide luncheon, and it is needless to say of him that the catering was carried out in his excellent style. Dr. Davy was appointed judge for this meeting, and although he had two very close and exciting finishes to decide in the pony races, his decisions were given promptly and correctly, and of course gave every satisfaction. Mr. M. Foley made a fairly good starter, and although there is a protest re the start in the Onslow Trot Handicap, where it is alleged Commodore got away 7 secs too late, it will be found that the fault was not Mr. Foley’s. The Maiden Pony Race produced as close a finish between the three placed horses as anyone could wish to see, and the Onslow Pony Race was also a beautiful race, the mile being covered in imin sec. Mr. C. S. Harley’s Rarus was the subject of admiration when he came to the post for the Onslow Trot, and the manner in which he distinguished himself proves what a grand gelding he is. The Wheel Race, which was one of the attractions of the meeting, was, contrary to the opinion of many a great success, and one of, if not the prettiest contests yet seen in Auckland. It was the first trotting race in harness yet held in this part of the colony, and it was feared that with nine contestants trotting at the same time on such a track as Potter’s, there would be a “ smash. Those fears were happily dispelled after the first round, and not a hitch of the slightest nature occurred. So well has this race caught on in public favour that the Auckland Trotting Club have decided to follow the example of their youngest daughter by including a wheel race in their next programme. Mr. A. H. Trubshaw made an efficient clerk of the scales during the day. Where everything else was so successful, it was a pity that a hitch occurred which caused the absence of the clerk of the course. The last race was also far too late in starting, caused principally we are told by some dispute over Sandgate’s nomination arrears to the Auckland Trotting Club. Messrs. Adams and Andrews worked three totalisators on the ground satisfactorily, lOS - being put through in half-sovereign tickets. There was a very large attendance, including a good sprinkling of the fair sex on the grand stand. The Club, which has now firmly established itself in public favour, will have a credit balance over the meeting of about Full particulars of the day’s racing will be found in our Turf Record Column.