TROTTING

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 489, 7 December 1899, Page 19

TROTTING

[By

Petronel.]

TROTTING CALENDAR. FIXTURES. December 23. Sat; 27, Wed; 30, Sat—Auckland T.C Summer December 23, Sat; 27, Wed; 30, Sat—Auckland T.C Summer December 26, Tues—Hawke’s Bay T.C Spring December 26, Tues- -Canterbury T.C Summer December 26, Tues; 27, Wed—Westport T.C Summer December 29, Eri—Greymouth T.C Summer January 1, Mon—Canterbury T.C Summer January 2, Tues—Greymouth T.C Midsummer February 17, Sat; 21, Wed; 24, Sat—Otahuhu T.C Summer NOMINATIONS. December 9—Canterbury T.C Spring December 22—Greymouth T.C Summer January B—Canterbury T.C Fifth Sires’ Produce Stakes, 1901, for now yearlings May 4—Ashburton T.C Autumn HANDICAPS. December B—Auckland T.C Summer — December 9—Westport T.C Summer December 11 —Greymouth T.C Midsummer December 13—Hawke’s Bay T.C Summer December 18 and 28—Canterbury T.C Summer December 30—Greymouth T.C Summer ACCEPTANCES. December 15 —Auckland T.C Summer December 18—Westport TO Summer December 20 —Hawke’s Bay T.C Summer , December 21 and 28—Canterbury T.C Summer December 22 and 30—Greymouth T.C Midsummer NOTES. The Auckland Trotting Club has received very excellent entries for the Summer Meeting. 'Eighteen of the best local horses are nominated for the big event of the meeting, the Auckland Trotting Club Handicap, which is run over two miles and has a stake of 200 sovs. Six youngsters have been entered for the Juvenile Stakes, one mile. All the other trotting races have been well patronised, and the galloping and jumping events have also received good attention from owners. Altogether the nominations exceed four hundred. Handicaps for the first day’s events will appear to-morrow (Friday). While in New York early in the season Frank L. Herdic, the well-known pool seller, referred to the early history of pool selling as follows “ I suppose many people do not know the origin of auction pool selling. It’s of American invention, and before it was started betting on races was, perforce, between individuals, on honor between acquaintances, and by depositing the stakes with a third- person, known to each, among strangers In the winter of 1869 there was a race meeting at New Orleans, andone day several men around the gambling house kept by the late Prince McGrath wanted to bet on a certain race, tut they all fancied the same horse, which, by the way, was ‘ Lucky ’ Baldwin’s old stillion Butherford. McGrath suggested that as this horse was a great favorite he should be sold at auction, and the other horses as well, the aggregate sum to be put in a pool for the winner’s backers. This was the first auction pool, but shortly afterward this method was adopted on all the race tracks in America, the pool seller taking five per cent of the total for expenses and compensations.”

One of the most notable performances of the season in amateur harness racing took place at Pittsburg recently, on the new mile track on Brunot’s Island (says the Breeder and Sportsman). J. D. Callery drove his chestnut trotting stallion Guy, by .Robert Rysdyk, a mile to waggon in 2 11. Then Callery hooked his chestnut mare Ferris Wby Altar, to pole with Guy and started them to beat 2.20 in double harness. It was the second time the two trotters had been driven together, Ferris W. having been purchased by the Pittsburg horseman only a few days before the trial. With the same steady hand which guided Guy round the new track'in 2.11 Callery sent the team from wire to wire in 2.13 f, coming within a second and a half of the champion team record made by Belle Hamlin and Honest George at Providence seven years ago. The great American three-year-old trotting event of the year, the Kentucky Futurity, of 16,000d01., was won by a chestnut gelding named Boralma, who was purchased a few days before the event by T. W. Lawson, of Boston, for 17,000d01. Boralma’s new owner had a plunge on him, winning something like 25,000d01‘ at a price very little better than even money. The whole affair was sensational, as three weeks before the race Boralma was comparatively unknown. Before the meeting was over, however, the books eased Lawson of a good share of his Boralma winnings. This was brought about by means of the Transylvania, an event for 2. 13 class trotters which was regarded as a certainty for a horse named Peter the Great, and Lawson laid odds of 2tol on him to further orders. Peter the Great won the first two heats easily, but was beaten in the next three, and when the liorse came out for the sixth which was for winners only, Peter bad gone so much out of favor that a bookmaker named Andy Walch offered 10,000dol. to 5000dol. against him, which Lawson promptly accepted. The horse was beaten. After it was over Lawson said he knew Peter could not win at the time he took the wager, but he could not stand the book e trying to bluff him.

Waitekauri is a much improved horse this season, as it was expected he would be. In the two mile race he trotted well last Wednesday, while in the mile event, which he won, the 1 a Rue gelding moved with plenty of dash. His successs should encourage the owner of his sire, for there is no doubt that La Rue’s stock will advance the trotting horses in Auckland.

“M. Quad ” in the Otago Witness writes : — “We frequently hear of protests being entered on the ground of inconsistency, but stewards seldom take much notice of a horse that goes so slow that he would not cover two miles in nine minutes. A case of this kind occurred at the last meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, when an imported horse, heavily supported in fact the favorite, could not go quite so fast as a2O year-old milch cow. Supposing a New Zealand horse were taken to Melbourne, say, and performed similarly, wouldn’t the officials be inclined to inquire what kind of influenza had attacked the animal ? Anyway, if the form shown by the horse at the new track, was correct, then he had no right on the track, and if it wasn’t a little enlightenment on the point could have done no harm. The circumstance will not be forgotten by the stewards, of course, but in justice to the owner of the horse and to the public, a satisfactory explanation was due to the latter aad to the club. OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB SPRING MEETING. Second Day—Wednesday, November 29. Again favoured with fine weather, the Otahuhu Club had a good attendance for the concluding day of the Spring Meeting on Wednesday last. Some two thousand spectators were present, and had a very enjoyable afternoon. The totalisator investments amounted to £2,558, which, added to the first day’s receipts, made a total of £5,560 for the meeting. Mr R. J. Absolum again officiated as starter, and despatched the fields in efficient manner. The ponies gave him a little trouble, and to this perhaps was due some delay in getting events off up to time. Mr W. Knight’s handicaps brought about very interesting finishes, and Mr A. R. Harris, who occupied the judge’s box, had to adjuuicate upon some close goes. Bar the delay in getting the races started to time, the arrangements were excellent, and Mr W. Lockhart is entitled to congratulation upon the completeness of the details. As usual, Mr A. F. Stillwell’s catering was quite up to his standard.

The sport commenced with the Trial Trot, one mile and a half. Popinjay, Black Bees, and Sally were the selected of backers, being fancied in the order named. K. D. and Black Bess kept their advantage for some little time, but before the field had gone half way it was seen that, bar accidents, the race was a good thing for Sally. Coming through the cutting for the second time the latter closed on K.D., and the latter breaking, the chestnut came away and trotted home an easy winner by six lengths from K.D., with Black Bess close up third. In the Maiden Trot on the first day Sally made no show at all. Tene was the only absentee for the Second Maiden' Pony Race of five furlongs. First Whisper, who carried the thumping impost of list 21b, was made favorite from Stella. From the send-off Stella jumped away, followed by the favorite and Miss Lane. There was no alteration until the leaders were well up the straight, then First Whisper challenged Stella, and had no difficulty in beating her and winning easily. Spreydon; who put m a good late run, finished third, just in front of Queen Quail. First Whisper ran the distance in Imin 6sec. The Suburban Irot Handicap, two miles, brought out all the nine acceptors, Lady Retford (28sec) being first favourite, Uric (45sec) second, and Waitekauri (30sec) third fancy. Lady Retford trotted well, but when the stand was reached for the second time, Lord Harold, Lady Retford, and Waitekauri were all together. The mare broke once or twice, and Lord Harold trotting far better than he did on the previous Saturday, won by two lengths from Old Judge, who, for once in a way, trotted most amiably, Lady Retford was just behind, third. Old Judge’s owner protested against Lord Harold on the ground of inconsistent form, and Lady Retford’s owner put in a protest against both first and second horses for the same thing. After a long inquiry, the stewards decided to dismiss both protests. Lord Harold certainly trotted very well in this raje, and whereas he broke considerably on the first day, on Wednesday he went like a machine. Old Judge, too, went very well, but the probability is that if Lady Retford had kept down she would have won. Semolina going out of the Spring Pony Handicap, only four faced the starter. Certain jumped off with the lead, and though First Whisper looked to be the winner two hundred yards from home, the weight told, and she died away at the finish, and allowed Certain to win by a length. Only three turned out for the Harness Trot Handicap, Old Judge being made a warm favourite. He got on terms with the leader, Golden King, but afterwards broke repeatedly, and Woodbine, who moved without making an error, had no difficulty in winning very easily. Nellie and Snowey retiring from the Steeplechase reduced the field to four. Hinemo ; was best backed, and then Venus received most attention from punters. The quirt etta fenced admirably, and the race was as pretty a one that a sportsman could desire to witness. Venus took the lead at the start, and though she was dispossessed for brief intervals by Little Tom and Karaka, she took the lead when her rider wished, and after a sterling finish, defeated Karaka by a neck, Hinemoa being third a similar distance away, and Little Tom close up fourth. The favourite was not ridden with good judgment, or she might have won. In the mile trotting race, the Electric Handicap, a big field of eleven started, alee (15sec) was thought to be the likely one, and next to the Vancleve mare, the punurs fancied Waitekauri (23sec). Those who selected the La Rue gelding made no mistake, for, t rotting very well, and taking the lead when a little over half the journey had been covered, he had no difficulty in winning by four lengths from Miss Huon, who would have been much closer but for breaking opposite the Stand. Alice was third ten lengths away.

Duchess and Israelite were absentees from the concluding event, the Tramway Handicap for ponies. Stella beat First Whisper for favouritism, and at flagfall she set out for home at a great pace. Stella still led half way up the straight, where she was tackled by First Whisper. Just as the latter got the best of the tussle, Certain put in a brilliant run on the rails and snatched the victory by a head, with Stella only a long neck away, third. This race was a capital one, the finish being excellent. The results are as follows Triad Trot Handicap (saddle or harness) of 30sovs. One mile and a half. 113 Mr J. O. Troy’s ch m Sally, by Corbet, aged, 9sec, Murfitt ... ... 1 10 Mr E. Merritt’s b m K.D., syrs, 27sec, Owner ... ... ... 2 121 Mr H. Osborne’s gr m Black Bees, 4yrs, 21sec, Douglas ... ... ... 3 Other starters —24 Victory, scr; 1 Darkie, 6 sec; 1 Vic, 12sec ; 5 Miss Rue, 18sec ; 3 Lady Florence, 27sec. Won very easily by seven lengths. Time, 4min 21sec. Dividend, £1 15s. Second Maiden Pony Handicap of 20 sovs. Five furlongs. 199 Mr Jas. Schaeffer’s blk m First Whisper, by St. Andrew —Whisper, 6yrs, 11.2, Mitchell ... ... ••• 1 58 Mr T. Newell’s b m Stella, aged, 9.7, Gunning ... ... ■■■ 2 130 Mr H. Johnston’s br g Spreydon, syrs, 93, Johnston ... ... ... 3 Other starters —8 Eroma, 9.0 ; 73 Miss Lane, 8.13 ; 5 Duchess, 8 2 ; 15 Semolina, 8.2; 31 Barmaid, 8.2 ; 87 Queen Quail, 7.8; 9 Marvellous, 7.0. Won by half a le; gtb. Time, Imin 6sec. Dividend, £1 7s Suburban Trot Handicap of 50 sovs. Two miles. 47 Mr W. J. Greenwood’s ch g Lord Harold, by Childe Harold —Stella, aged, 26aec, owner ... ... 1 42 Mr S. Baker’s b g Old Judge, aged, Msec, Baby ... ... ... 2 211 Mr T. McDell’s ch m Lady Retford, aged, 28sec, T. Greenwood ... 3 Other starters —10 Dulce, 24sec; 21 Hollywood, 28sec ; 8 Miss Huon, 28sec ; 107 Waitekauri, 36sec; 189 Uric, 45sec ; 87 Judy, 50sec. vVon by five lengths. Time, smin 12sec. Dividend, £6 18s. The owner of Old Judge protested on the ground of Lord Harold’s inconsistent form, and the owner of Lady Retford protested against the stakes going to Lord Harold or Old Judge. The protests were dismissed. Spring Pony Handicap of 35 sovs. Six and a half furlongs. 148 Mr J. Matthew’s br m Certain, by Cocksure, aged, 8.3, Fletcher ... 1 404 Mr Jas. Schaeffer’s blk m First Whisper, 6yrs, 10.7 (including 51b penalty), Mitchell ... ... ••• 2 89 Mr T. Kelly’s br m Brooklet, aged, 8.10, Gunning ... . ... ... 3 Other starter —102 Nannie, 9.10. Won by a length. Time, Imin 26£sec. Dividend, £2 ss. Second Harness Trot Handicap of 50 sovs One mile and a half. 67 Mr H. Chatteris’ b m Woodbine, by Childe Harold — Rosemary, aged, 22sec, Owner ... ... ... 1 158 Mr S. Baker’s b g Old Judge, aged, 18 sec, Bagby ... ... ... 2 69 Mr J. Lecky’s b g Golden King, aged, 28see, Murfitt ... ... ... 3 These were the only starters. Won in a walk. Time, 4min Msec. Dividend, £1 19s. Steeplechase Handicap of 40 sovs. Two miles and a half. 164 Mr T. S. Hill’s b g Venus, by Carbineer, aged, 102, Lett ... ... 1 41 Mr T. J. Hill’s br g Karaka, aged, 10.6, McLennan ... ... ... 2 285 Mrs Murfitt’s br m Hinemoa, 6yrs, 11.12, Murfitt ... ' ... 3 Other starter —99 Little Tom, 10.13. Won after a good run by a neck, Hinemoa half a length away third. Time, smin 50sec. Dividend, £1 12s. Electric Trot Handicap of 35 sovs. One mile. 61 Mr W. T. Carr’s b g Waitekauri, by La Rue — Yum Yum, aged, 23sec, Owner ... ... ... 1 16 Mr Alf. Lowe’s ch m Miss Muon, aged, 19sec, Owner ... ... ... 2 131 Mr P. Williams’ b m Alice, aged, 15sec, Duncan ... ... ... 3 Other starters —39 Yum Yum, 3sec ; 77 Lusitania, 6sec; 46 Hollywood, 18 sec ; 13 Hard Case, 24sec; 18 Peter, 27sec; 38 Hero, 20sec ;30 Uric, 28sec; 10 Popinjiy, SOsec; 20 Sandfly, 30aeq. Won comfortably by five lengths. Time, 2min 47sec. Dividend, £3 14s. Tramway Handicap of 25 sovs. Five furlongs 92 Mr W. T. Matthew’s br m Certain, by Cocksure, aged, 9.1 (including 71b penalty), Fletcher ... ... 1 280 Mr Jas Schaeffei’s blk m First Whisper, 6yre, 10 13 (including 71b penalty), Mitchell ... ... 2 302 Mr T. Newell’s b m Stella, aged, 8.7, Gunning ... ... ... 3 Other starters—67 Nannie, 10.1; 14 Semoline, 7 6 ; 38 Queen Quail, 7.0 ; 9 Trilby, 6 10. Won by a head, neck between second and third; Time, Imin 7sec. Dividend, £3 18s.

AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING. The following are the nominations for the above fixture, which is timed to eventuate on December 23, 27, and 30 : — Maiden Tbot Handicap, one mile.—Antes, Netty, Ben Popinjay, Viscount, Heiress, Hero, Lady Florence, K.D., Pilot, St William, Miss Rue, Little May, Comet, Black Bess, Happy, Nell Tracey. Maiden Pony Handicap, five furlongs.—Fair Gwynne, Sportsman, Taradale, Kirikairauhau, Dewdrop, Frances, Barmaid, Dolly, Duchess, Queen Quail, Lady (Jdny, Blue Bell, Semolina, Moss Rose, Ruth, Repeat, Carmen, Madge, Little Jim.

Auckland Trotting Cup, two miles.—Lord Harold, Hollywood, La. Rue, Ebony, Patron, Billy Wilson, Bob E.T., Woodbine, Cob, Old Judge, Dulce, Alice, Lady Retford, Golden King, Albert Victor, Allen, Trafalgar. Pony Cup Handicap, one mile.—Sportsman, Fairy, New Boy, Lulu, Israelite, Norina, Nannie, Dewdrop, Leona, Frances, Barmaid, Hinemoa, Bob, Fair Gwynne, Dolly, Venus, Lady Udny, First Whisper, Botfly, Lady Howitzer, Certain, Spreydon, Kirikairauhau, Miss Lane, Moss Rose, i' ora, Topsail. Electric Trot Handicap, one mile.—Fibre, Yum Yum, Sally, Bob E.T., Slim Jim, Lusitania, Gay Belle, Lady Retford, Uric, Waitekauri, Miss Huon, Happy. ¥ Handicap Steeplechase, two miles and a half. —Brooklet, Nelly, Fairy, bob, Kanaka, Hinemoa, Blue Belle, Little Tom. Juvenile Stakes, one mile.—Le Grande, The Autocrat, Bellbird, Ella Pleasanton, Sen Sen, Little Doctor.

Telephone Handicap, five furlongs. —Stella, New Boy, Nannie, Dewdrop, Leona, Frances, Fair Gwynne, Duchess, Queen Quail, Spreydon, Lady Udhy, hirst Whisper, Botfly, Certain, Miss Lane, . ady Howitzer, Moss Rose, Nora, Topsail.

December Trot, one mile and a half.—Hard Case, Hollywood, Lord Harold, Ebony, Billy Wilson, Woodbine, Slim Jim, Old Judge, Allen, Cleveland, Waitekauri, Golden King, Violetta Junior, Motuiti. GlaeGow Irot Handicap, one mile and a half.—La Rue, Ebony, Pioke, Woodbine, Hero, Alice, Golden King, Albert Victor, Motuiti. Summer Trotting Cup, two miles. —Molywood, Yum Yum, Patron, Billy Wilson, Victory, Empress, Old Judge, Dulce, Alice, Lacy Retford, Golden King, Albert Victor, Trafalgar. Lightning Handicap Tr-t, one mile.— Hollywood, La Rue. Lady 8., Victory, Woodbine, Pilot, Cleveland, Golden King, Little Doctor, Motuiti.

Class Trot Handicap, one mile.—Yum Yum, Billy Wilson, Bob E.T., Woodbine, Cob, Old Judge, Dulce, Luaitania, Waitekauri, .albert Victor, Violetta (junior). Dash Handicap Trot, One mile.—Hard Case, Fibre, Yum Yum, Ebony, Sally, Empress, Slim Jim, tuay Belle, Lady Retford, .Miss Hum, Waitekauri, Happy, Trafalgar. Handicap Hurdles, one mile and a quarter.— Brooklet, Nellie, Leona, Hinemoa, Bob, Venus, Blue Bell, Little Tom. . Christmas Handicap, six furlongs and a half. —New Boy, Lulu, Nannie, Dewdrop, Leona, Francis, Barmaid, Fair Gwynne, Dolly, Queen Quail, Lady Udny, First Whisper, Botfly, Blue Bell, Lady Howitzer, Certain, Spreydon, Moss Rose, Nora, Topsail, Carmen. . _ - Second Steeplechase, two miles and a half. — Fairy, Bob, Karaka, Blue Bell, Hinemoa, Little Tom.

ErsoM Handicap, five furlongs.—Stella, New Boy, Israelitt, Norina, Dewdrop, Leona, Francis, Fair Gwynne, Dolly, Duchess, Queen Quail, Lady Udny, First Whisper, Botfly, Certain, Spreydon, Miss Lane, Moss Mose, Nora, Ruth, Topsail, luittle Jim.

Final Trot, one mile and a half. —Antes, Netty, Heaney, Popinjay, Viscount, The Autocrat, Hero, Lady Florence, K.D., St William, Miss Rue, Little May, comet, Black Bess, Happy, Little Doctor.

President’s Trot Handicap, two miles.— La Rue,,Patron, Bob E.T., Victory, Empress, Cob, Old Judge, Dulce, Alice, Miss Huon, Waitekauri, dolden King, Albert Victor, Allen, Motuiti. Flying Harness Trot Handicap, one mile. —Ebony, Billy Wilson, Pioke, Empress, Pilot, Lusitania, Cleveladd, Golden King, Albert Victor, Charlie, Violetta .junior). High-Class Trot Handicap, one mile and a half —Hollywood, Yum Yum, Ebony, Bob E.T., Woodbine, vid Judge, Dulce, Lusitania, Alice, Albert Victor, Allen, Motuiti.

lelegraph Trot Handioap, one mile.— Hard Case, Fibre, Yum Yum, Sally, Ladj 8., Empress, Slim Jim, Heiress, Old Judge, Peter, Lady Retford, Uric, Miss Huon, Waitekauri, Happy, Little Doctor, Ebony. Second Maiden Pony Handicap, five furlongs.—Sportsman, Nellie, Taradale, Dewdrop, Francis, Bas maid, Fair Gwynne, Dolly, Duchess, Lady Desborough, Queen Quail, Lady Udny, Blue Bell, Semolina, Moss Mose, Zeehan, Ruth, Repeat, Carmen, Madge, Little Jim, Try Again. New Year Handicap, six furlongs and a half. New Boy, Nannie, Dewdrop, Leona, Francis, Barmaid, Hinemoa, Fair Gwynne, Dolly, Lady Udny, First Whisper, Botfly, Lady Howitzer, Certain, Spreydon, Moss Rost, Nora. Second Handicap Hurdles, one mile and a half-—Brooklet, Nellie, Fairy, Lulu, Leona, Hinemoa, Bob, Venus, Blue Bell, Certain, Little Tom. Granl stand Handicap, five furlongs.—Stella, New |Boy, Israelite, Norina, Nannie, Dewdrop, Leona, Francis, Fair Gwynne, Duchess, Queen Quail, Lady Udny, First Whisper, Botfly, Blue Bell, Lady Howitzer, Certain, Spreydon, Miss Lane, Moss Rose, Nora, Repeat, Topsail, Carmen