TROTTING

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 528, 6 September 1900, Page 13

TROTTING

A recent Breeder and Sportsman says: “ The indications now are that The Abbot 2’o6£, the unbeaten free for all trotter of 1899, will be forced into the exhibition class in the coming campaign. No Trotting Association in the Grand Circuit has yet announced a free for all race, and it is said that none will be opened this year. The fastest class thus far is the 208 class, from which The Abbott is barred by his record. If an opportunity to race him is not offered the great horse will probably be fitted for an attempt to beat the record of Alix 203 J. Not a few horsemen believe The Abbot has a fighting chance to accomplish the feat under favourable conditions. Geers drove him a half in l’o2| at Louisville the other day, and on dismounting from the sulky complained that the track was slow. If The Monk 2 08| stands training he and The Abbot are to be hooked to pole and driven to beat the champion team record of 212£.

Something interesting is bound to come of the attention trotting men are giving to the speedway as a field for the two minute trotter. The footing on that road has proven to be good enough for the very greatest flights of speed, and is straight. A horse that rounds the curves of an ordinary track within a very few seconds of the two minutes may not unreasonably be expected to reach the ideal mark when tried on a mile stretch requiring n> change of stroke from end to end. Among the runners the difference between a mde on a course that curves and one on a course absolutely straight has been proven to be more than four seconds. Take four seconds off the r< cord of Alix 2.03| and we have l’s9f. But with trotters, hauling after them a pair of wheels, which around the turns are particularly disadvantageous, the difference should be greater. It is not at all improbable that among the active flyers of the land, the lowest record among which is The Abbot 2.06, there are several able to cover the choicest mile on our speedway in two minutes. Mile trials cannot safely be made a regular amusement on the speedway, but, for the sake of demonstrating the actual power of horse flesh, a few of them will be .altogether proper. — New York Sun.