OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 925, 28 November 1907, Page 5

OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

FIRST DAY. The Otahuhu Trotting Club opened it’s spring meeting at Alexandra Park on November 20, in ideal weather, and in the presence of a good attendance; taking into consideration that it was an “off” day (Wednesday). The secretary (Mr F. D. Yonge) had the meeting well under control and a pleasant afternoon’s sport was provided. During the day the sum of £2357 10s was passed through the totalisators compared with £2826 10s on the opening day (Saturday) of the spring meeting last year—a decrease of £469. The programme opened with the Trial Trot, one mile and a-half, Cavalier being made favourite. Tableau was first into the straight, where the favourite headed him and won by a length. Tuxton was about 10 lengths away third. Cleveland’s Pride received most support in the Suburban Trot, two miles, and again the public proved correct in summoning up the position, for the little son of Cleveland quickly went to the front and was never headed, winning easily by five lengths from Black

Diamond. The winner covered the two miles in smin. 19secs. There were only three starters in the Spring Pony Handicap—Frederick, Manapouri and Fraulein. Frederick, who was burdened with the steadier of 11.7 was the popular choice, and for the third time in succession the favourite scored. The finish was one of the best seen on the course for some time, and was very exciting. Frederick won by a neck, with Fraulein only a head behind Manapouri. Bert was made favourite in the Novelty Trot, but he had to strike his colours to Stranger, who, trotting well throughout, caught Bert entering the straight and won comfortably by two lengths. Most support was accorded to Donizetti in the Electric Trot, one mile, but the best he could do was to finish third to Black Diamond and Torpedo 11., first and second respectively. Black Diamonod won by two lengths. Dr. Quest was made favourite in the Tramway Handicap, about four furlongs, but although he was quickest away he finished outside a place. Hopscotch, who ran in the lead with Dr. Quest, drew away in the straight and won comfortably by two lengths from Balgonie, with Frederick a neck away third. The concluding event saw Robex made favourite, but he failed to gain a situation, the finish being between Huon Leal and Colenso, the former winning by a length. Robex was third. SECOND DAY. The meeting was brought to a close on Saturday, when fine weather again prevailed. The various officials carried out their respective duties and, as on the opening day, another splendid afternoon’s sport was provided. There was a capital attendance and speculation was brisk, the sum handled at the machines on the eight events amounting to £3297 10s, which makes a total for the meeting of £5637 compared with £5230 last year, an increase of £407. ' The first event on the card was the Innovation Trot, and eleven horses faced the starter. The limit horse, Tuxton, began well and soon established a fair lead, which he maintained to the finish, winning easily from Awhiowhio, with Victorine third. The Class Trot was contested by Robex, Waitekauri, and Lady Love. Waitekauri trotted kindly and never left the issue in doubt, and won pulling up by three lengths, Robex was a similar distance away third. Only Manapouri and Frederick faced the starter in the Epsom Handicap, and Manapouri jumping off in front when the barrier flew up remained there throughout and won comfortably by three lengths. Eleven horses went to the post in the Trotting Handicap, one mile. The field had not gone far before Donizetti rushed to the front, followed by lago, and this was the order when the post was reached, Donizetti winning by three lengths. Harold Huon was some distance away third. Nine horses contested the principal event of the day, the Otahuhu Spring Trot, two miles, the popular opinion being that Black Diamond would win. He, however, failed to get up with the leaders. On the other hand, Happy quickly established a long lead, and when the final circuit came to be undertaken, it looked as if nothing had a chance. Huon Leal began to creep up to the leader at every stride, and gradually reducing the gap a great race was witnessed, the pair flashing past the post locked together. The judge gave his decision in favour of Happy by a head. Black Diamond finished fast but was some distance away third. There were only three starters in the Telephone Trot. Colenso led till about 100 yards from the post, when he broke, and this enabled Waitekauri, who was close behind, to go on and win by three lengths, Miss Wilson was about 15 lengths away third. This race was perhaps made easy for Waitekauri. Hopscotch was considered to have a good chance of annexing the Flying Stakes, about four furlongs,, and this

was amply borne out. Inspiration was quickest away, but he had not gone far before Hopscotch went to the front, an£ galloping in rare style, the little fellow had no difficulty in winning by a length and a-half from Hughie, with Inspiration third. The concluding event, the Panmure Trot one mile and a-half, drew a field of ten. Nat Gould led till the straight was entered the first time, when lago went to the front and he showed the way till the stand was reached, when Nat Goould ranged alongside. The pair collided, arid Nat Gould breaking, lago won by about two lengths. The stewards held an inquiry, and awarded the race to Nat Gould. Wilhelmina was therefore placed second.