Auckland Trotting Club’s Summer Meeting.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 127, 29 December 1892, Page 7

Auckland Trotting Club’s Summer Meeting.

First Day—Tuesday, Dec. 27.

When the Auckland Trotting Club came out with such a liberal programme for their Summer Meeting of 1892 fears were expressed that they had launched out somewhat too extravagantly, but when we saw the entries they received and later on had a look at the acceptances, we felt sure that they had made no mistake in providing such a handsome bill of fare for the delectation of trotting enthusiasts throughout the colony The more were we confirmed in our conviction when we were apprised of the arrival of a Sydney representative in, the shape of Yum Yum, whose accession to the ranks of starters was strengthened by the later arrival of trotters from the South Island, and from Wellington, Taranaki and other Northern centres. It seemed like cruel luck for the A.T.C. in the face of all their liberality and enterprise when —after such a beautifully fine day as the Anckland Racing Club had been favoured with —it commenced to rain in the forenoon of Tuesday, and with only slight intervals it was showery all day at Potter’s Paddock. However this—fortunately for the club—did not deter lovers -of the sport from mustering in strong force, and there must have been nearly 3000 people present when the two principal events were decided. Speculation was very brisk, £5257 being put through the tota’lisator. The day’s sport was excellently managed with one exception, and that was that too many events had been crowded into the card, with the result that the last race was not started until 7.30 p.m. Mr. E. D. Halstead wielded the starter’s flag with even more than his usual efficiency —and that is saying a good deal —and several of his dismissals were so cleverly effected as to call forth hearty plaudits from the spectators. The day’s business commenced with the Maiden Handicap Trot of sosovs, two miles, for which Pihie was the only absentee out of the 13 figured on the card. The Broker was made favourite, with Sailor Boy next in demand, and the latter as soon as the flag fell went to the front, and won with ridiculous ease. The favourite was only prominent in the early part of the race, and soon fell away. The tiffie, 6min i4|sec, was 6|sec slower than that for the same race last year, when Sandfly won. Sandfly ran in the name of Mr. S. Tanner, owner of Mount, who now finished second. Half-ardozen scratchings reduced the field for the Maiden Pony Handicap of 4osovs, six furlongs, to 16, and Dove and Sally divided favouritism, little else being backed to any extent except Pearl IL, Nigger Boy, and Ratan. Helena went away from the flail of the flag, and led into the straight, when Pearl 11. challenged, and after a good finish, won by a length. Sally fell, and her rider (Geach) was badly shaken. The winner is owned by an Aucklander, and was, I understand, sired by St. Leger. The "great item of the New Zealand trotting world —the Auckland Trotting Cup Handicap of 300 sovs, 3 miles—next came up for attention. Of the 16 coloured on the card, Martha, Tinker and Mount did not face the starter. Thus there was left a field of 13, which is 3 less than contested the same race last year, when the added money was 100 sovs less than now. Edwards’ mare Fairy, with her owner' up and handicapped on the limit mark, was regarded as real ‘‘good goods” and out of £BO6 on the totalisator she carried £399 —nearly half. She was not headed until rounding for home in the last lap, when Little Ben came along and wearing her down won by quite 50 yards. Ike, who was an outsider, gained the “ score ” of third money, just in front of

Nellie. The time, Bmin 36sec, was 13J sec faster than last year, when Rarus won with 25sec start. The winner is owned at Otahuhu, and has, I am given to understand, some thoroughbred breeding on the sire’s side. The handicap allotted to Fairy was too much for Yum Yum and Clvde to pick up, and it was very quickly seen that they had not the remotest chance.

Pica, Contempt, Reuben, Rodney, Putihi, Glenmore and Ben declined the contest for the Pony Cup Handicap of 130 sovs, one mile, leaving thirteen runners. Pearl ll.—who was penalised 71b for her previous win—was again saddled up, and she shared the bulk of public favour with Little Jane, who was giving her 41b. From a splendid start Vampire, Cupid, Pearl IL, and Robin were the most prominent. Vampire led into the straight, but Little Jane then came through and won with a bit in hand from Sepoy, who passed Vampire a few yards from home. Silkworm and Walter Scott fell, and Patterson, who was riding the former, sustained a slight concussion of the brain, while Callaghan, who was up on Walter Scott, got off with a sprained wrist. The time, imin sBsec, was 4sec slower than last year, when Lady Onslow won - with 8.9. On that occasion Vampire, who now ran third with 8.10, was unplaced with 10.0. Ike was served up very warm for the Pony Trot Handicap of sosovs, 2 miles, - and he ran well, though he failed to concede 31 sec to Blueskin, who had the race practically in hand from the word “ go.” She is owned by a Papakura resident, and paid the nice dividend of £"9 18s. Not deterred by Fairy’s previous defeat the majority of backers again rallied to her support in the Glasgow. Harness Trot Handicap, and she was backed down to about 6 to 4. Peggy was second in request, and at the finish the pair named were split by Scotchman, from whom Fairy won very comfortably with Peggy a moderate third.. The Handicap Hurdles of 70 sovs, one mile and a half, served to further demonstrate what a good pony Pica is, for with all his 12.0 he was equal to winning with a bit to spare from Butterfly, who was receiving 491 b from him. Minnie Grey also achieved a good performance by carrying 11.12 into third place. This event last year was won by Lady Onslow” with 2ilb less than Pica now carried. No mistake was made with Peggy in the Electric Trot Handicap of 6osovs, one mile, for which seven started. She was favourite, but Midnight and Yum Yum were also well backed. Peggy led the whole way, and won easily from Midnight, Clyde gaining the barren honour of third place. The Christmas Handicap of 40S0VS, 5 furlongs, concluded the card, and brought out a field of a dozen. Cupid and Rodney found most favour with backers, but Pearl 11. and Nigger Boy were also well supported. Cupid came through when the straight was entered, and won with a trifle to spare from Vampire, with Rodney third.