THE AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB’S WINTER MEETING

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 745, 16 June 1904, Page 9

THE AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB’S WINTER MEETING

TO BE HELD AT TAKAPUNA RACECOURSE.

Next Saturday the Auckland Trotting Club will make a commencement with their big winter fixture, and on the following Wednesday the meeting will be brought to a close. Exceptional interest’ attaches to this particular meeting .in that the venue has been changed from the usual place at Alexandra Park to the well-known racecourse on the other side of the Waitemata belonging to the Takapuna Jockey Club. Owing to the fact of the Auckland Trotting Club being unable to use their regular ground because the Rugby Union had it engaged for football matches, sportsmen will be given an opportunity of judging what a trotting meeting is like on a first-class track. Of course, the regular followers of the harness horse will go anywhere to see 1 their favourites perform, but on this oc- y casion these may be expected to be very strongly reinforced by people who do not usually attend trotting meetings. The Trotting Club does not intend to leave any stone unturned which may help to convince these latter folk that trotting can be made just as interesting to watch as racing.

The Ferry Company will run extra steamers, while the arrang-ements on the course will be on much the same lines as when the Takapuna Jockey Club is holding a meeting, which is synonymous with saying that the comfort of patrons will be attended to.

Owing to the fact that the acceptances close after we go to press, it is impossible to attempt anything in the nature of a forecast. As the handicapper appears to have done his work well, there is good evidence that the fields will be large and first-class sport may be confidently looked forward to. The following are the handicaps :— Maiden Trot Handicap. One mile and a-half.

Handicaps for the second day of the Auckland Trotting Club’s Meeting are due’ to appear on Monday, J une ’2O, and acceptances for the same close with Mr (.’. F. Mark the same evening at 9 p.m.

According to the “ Breeder and Sportsman,” most of the pacing stars of ten years ago are living. Star Pointer is in the stud at Rockport, Ohio, while John R. Gentry and Joe Patchen are heading breeding establishments in Tennessee and New York respectively. Robert J. is living in retirement in New Jersey, while Flying Jib still shows much of his former speed on the roads at Pleasanton Cal.

The champion trotter Ribbonwood is due to arrive in Auckland by the s.s. Talune to-day. Mr Price will have the black son of Wildwood over at Takapunta on Saturday, when he will be probably sent an exhibition mile. The presence of the champion will be an additional attraction to the Auckland Trotting Club’s Meeting.

Mr W. Rollitt, secretary of the New Zealand Trotting Association, courteously forwards a copy of the list of horses registered with the Association from 1899 to 1903. This book, which must prove invaluable to lovers of the harness horse, may be obtained from the Association’s office at Christchurch for two shillings per copy. **‘ * *

To detect a spavin, large or small, the following test is said to be almost infallible : Have an assistant lead the horse out to halter and prepare to trot him instantly at the word “go.” No lift up the foot of the suspected hind leg and hold it as close to the horse’s belly as possible for a few minutes. Suddenly drop it and immediately trot the horse, when he will, for the first few steps or even rods, go intensely lame, but soon recover.

Director is dead (says the “Breeder and Sportsman”). The grand old stallion, hero of many a hard fought turf battle, and founder of one of the most famous of money winning families, died at the Locust Grove Stock Farm, New Castle, Pa., April 22nd, at the ripe old age of twenty-seven. His death was very sudden, as he had been led from his stable a few minutes before seemingly in perfect health. Director was brought to California by Munroe Salisbury and founded here a family of horse that has brought much wealth to this State and given to the world many champion trotters and pacers. Director was bred in Kentucky bv Col. Richard West and was foaled in 1877. He was sired by Dictator, brother to the famous Dexter, and his dam was Dolly a great mare by Mambrino Chief. Direc r tor was a black horse, standing a little over 15 hands and an inch high, well coupled, with clean head and neck, good legs and a very resolute bearing. He had rapid strong action, the determination and the power to fight out the race to the very end, no matter how long drawb out, and his disposition was excellent. Mr Salisbury has won manv races with the old horse, and many with his sons and daughters, and this- year will have grandsons and great grandsons of his old favourite on the track.

sec sec Mummel] Childe, late Billy ■ 24 Pop scr Nui 24 Redleaf 7 Mack,’ 25 Eureka ... 15 Berlin Abba 28 Lance ... 15 Pleasanton 28 Bell Carl ... 18 Albertorious 30 Donnizetti .. 19 Huanui 31 Oats Handicap. Six furlongs and a-half. st lb st lb Annoyed .. 12 10 Kyra 9 7 Orange and Blue ... 11 9 The Bishop 9 3 Garnet .. 9 10 Lady Lottie 9 0 Gladys Rose ... ... 9 8 Sweet Marie 9 0 Sally Horner... ... 9 8 Signal 9 0 Whaiwhai ... 9 7 Winter Handicap Trot. Two miles. sec sec Fichu ... scr K.D 24 Rosalind 13 Autocrat 26 Duke C ... 13 Te Whiti 28 Harold Abdallah ... 15 Colenso 32 Young Salisbury ... 16 Belladona 32 Baxter ... 18 Rushlight 34 Rebel Boy ... 18 Macquarrie 34 Three Kings ... .. 24 Miss Huon 34 Old Judge 24 U Middle-Class Trot Handicap. One mile and a-half. see sec Young Salisbury ... scr Little Ben IS Mummel Childe 3 Pioke 19 Old Judge 6 Snip 21 Autocrat 7 Countess 21 My Lady ... 12 Bliss Irvington 21 Eric .. 15 Bert 21 Empress ... 15 Fibre 22 Victor C., late Victor George 24 Hugo 15 Mack .. 28 Bryn ... 16 Pleasanton 30 Ladies’ Bracelet Handicap. One mile and a-half. sec sec Duke C ... scr Rushlight 15 Polly H. 4 Eric 16 K.D 7 George .. 25 Old Judge 7 Pleasanton 33 Redleaf ... 12 Albertorious .. 34 Belladonna ... 13 Invicta 36 Red Wilkes ... 13 Flying Handicap. Five furlongs. st lb st lb Annoyed ... 12 7 Whaiwhai 9 10 Orange and Blue ... 11 9 Vulpine 9 6 Garnet . ... 9 13 The Bishop 9 5 Fashionable . ... 9 12 Lady Trench 9 3 Havelock ... 9 12 Pahwaihi 9 3 Gipsy ... 9 12 Lady Lottie ... 9 0 Gladys Rose ... .. 9 11 Sweet Marie... 9 0 Kyra ... 9 10 Sentinel 9 0 Electric Trot Handicap. One mile. sec see Fichu ... scr Colenso 18 Rosalind 9 My Lady 18 Leda 9 Macquarrie 19 Young Salisbury ... 10 Rushlight 19 Waitekauri ... 10 Eric 20 Kiddy Gee ... 12 Victor C. 20 Polly II. .. 12 Byrn 21 Mummel Childe 12 Bell Car.. 24 Old Judge ... 14 Countess 24 Isabel ... 14 Bert 24 Te Whiti 16 Fibre 25