AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 930, 2 January 1908, Page 6

AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

FIRST DAY’S RACING. The Auckland Trotting Club on Friday last inaugurated its Summer meeting at Alexandra Park in excellent weather, and the Club were favoured with a capital attendance. A programme of eight events was decided, and in nearly every instance the finish was a close one, and reflected credit upon the handicapper (Mr F. W. Edwards), who must have been delighted with the result of his labours. The energetic secretary (Mr. C. F. Mark) is deserving of warm praise for the manner in which the programme was negotiated, not a hitch occurring during the afternoon to mar the proceedings. The various other officials carried out their duties satisfactorily, and altogether it must be admitted that the afternoon sport was a most enjoyable one. Bookmakers to the number of 14 elected to pay the £lO charged by the club, and these appeared to do a brisk busness. The amount handled at the totalisators was £4901 10s., compared wth £6430 10s on the opening day of the Summer meeting last year, a decrease of £1529. The following is a review of the racing: — The programme opened with the Maiden Trot, one mile and a-half, a field of 14 facing the starter. Adelaide led for the first couple of furlongs, when the scratch mare (Sister), who was trotting in good style, rushed to the front. In the run up the straight Tableau headed' her, and trotting kindly over the final circuit he won easily by two lengths, Harold Huon just getting up in the last few strides and beating Sister -for second money. The next event, the Trotting Handi-

cap, one mile and a-half, is easily described, for the limit horse, Plaintiff, beginning quickly, he never left the issue in doubt, and won easily by four lengths from Kirikiriroa, who was three lengths in front of Kohine. The latter pair collided going along the back the last time and lost several lengths.

Seven ponies lined up for the Pony Cup, six and a-half furlongs, and when the barrier was raised Necktie rushed to the front, closely attended by Carmania and Octoroon. Necktie was the first to turn for home, but once in the straight Carmania put in her claim and won by two lengths. Octoroon was a length behind Necktie in third place.

The principal event of the programme came next. This was the Auckland Trotting up of 200 sovs, two miles and a field of ten went to the post. The limit horse All Night began badly, and the field had not gone far before he was in last place, while Redleaf was out acting the role of pacemaker. The latter broke in the second round, and Viscount took command and All Night began to overhaul his field. Viscount was first to turn for home, where All Night, who was running past his field as if they were standing still, closed on Viscount, and after a grand exhibition of trotting he caught Viscount, and going on won by two lengths. Huon Leal was several lengths away third, and Redleaf fourth.

The Middle Class Trot, one mile and a-half, was won easily by Maurice B, who after Plaintiff had acted the role of pacemaker till the straight was reached, went to the front and won easily from Harold Huon, who just beat Plaintiff for second place. Only four took part in the Great Northern Trotting Handicap, one mile, and the limit mare Rosebud beginning quickly she was never headed and won by a length and a-half from Robex. Miss Wilson was two lengths away third.

The Telephone Handicap, five furlongs, attracted only three starters, Carmania being made favourite. The little daughter of San Francisco justified the confidence placed in her by beating Dr. Quest by a length and ahalf, with the other starter (Hopscotch) three lengths away third. Maurice B. was sent out favourite for the concluding event, the St. Heller’s Trot, but when running well something went wrong with the gear, and Kohine won as she liked by about a dozen lengths from lago, with Flora Mac close up third.

SECOND DAY. The meeting was continued on Monday, when fine weather again prevailed, and there was a large attendance. Ten bookmakers were present, and these appeared to do a fair amount of business. £4915 was passed through the totalisators, making £9816 10s for the two days, against £12,256 on the first two days of the summer meeting last year, a decrease of £2439 10s. The opening event, the Second Maiden Trot saw Sister go out a staunch favourite, and she won by a length and a-half after a good fight with Jungle, who broke in the last 100yds. The Special Trot, one mile and ahalf, drew nine starters. Fibre, on the limit, led till the stand was reached the first time, when Bert rushed to the front, and when they entered the home run he had a lead of about 15 lengths from Agnes 8., and the race looked any odds on Bert. However Agnes B. gradually decreased the big gap, and, catching Bert at every stride, got up in the last few strides and won by half a length. Janitor (favourite) was several lengths away third. Only three went to the post in the Christmas Handicap, Carmania being made favourite. Ngakapa jumped off in front, and was never headed, winning comfortably by a couple of lengths from Carmania, with Necktie a similar distance away last. All Night was made favourite in the Summer Trotting Cup, two miles, but he at no part of the journey looked like winning. Macquarrie led over the first round when San Toy took command, but the latter breaking, Macquarrie was again in front when the final round was entered upon. Viscount then went to the front, and, trotPng in good style, he never left the issue in doubt, and won, eas’ng up, by three lengths from Huon Leal with General Election close up third. The Tramway Trot saw Tableau go out favourite. Wilhelmina was soon in front, and she was never afterwards headed, winning in an exciting finish by ia head from the favourite, with Seacole a couple, of lengths further back third.

(Maurice B. was made a strong favourite in the Class Trot, but something went wrong with the harness

shortly after the start, and he was pulled up. Torpedo 11. was in front till 100yds from home, when he broke, leaving Kohine to win by two lengths from Maplewood, with Torpedo 11. third.

Ngakapa, on the strength of his win in the six and a-haif, was favourite in the Epsom Handicap, five furlongs, and he repeated his performance by jumping off in front and remaining there throughout, winning comfortably by three lengths from Carmania, with Cyrona third. Mighty Atom, who finished last, was bracketed with Ngakapa on the machine. Eland was made a hot favourite for the concluding event the Dash Trot, one mile, and he won his race in good style by two lengths and a-half from Little Paul, who put in a phenomenal run over the last 100yds, and beat Taihoa on the post for second honours.