WANGANUI TROTTING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1148, 11 April 1912, Page 12

WANGANUI TROTTING CLUB.

The Easter carnival of the Wanganui Trotting Club opened in delightful weather on Saturday in the presence of a large attendance of the public. Amongst those on the course (the Wanganui Jockey Club’s lace track) were visitors from all parts of the Dominion.. The fields were large, and some capital sport was provided, though it was quite evident that the grass track was not to the. liking of a number of the contestants. In the majority of the events the long start horses won, in fact filled the places, but this was not altogether the fault of the handicapper (Mr Ulic Shannon), but to a great extent was owing; to the back markers failing to kep down. They were trotting well up to form, but the going was against them, and they repeatedly broke. The big event —the Wanganui Cup—was won by Erin’s Tracey off the limit 40secs, Glenidol being second, and Grattan Chimes third —the two latter also being on 40 secs. Gold Bell was on scratch, but never had a look in, and finished about 300 yards behind the winner, -who cut out the distance, two miles, in 5.6. This meant that Gold Bell would have had to have done 4.26 to have got up, much too great a task on such a track. It was small wonder that Albertorious, who was also on scratch, was withdrawn.. Erin Tracey was pulled back to the 6secs mark in the President’s Handicap, but again scored decisively, registering 5.5 for rhe two miles, whicn was very consistent trotting. Jewel Chimes also won a double. —the Hammond Handicap one- mile, in harness, and the Dash Handicap, harness. The Abbey Bells colt trotted very nicely in each event. Quite one of the finest exhibitions of trotting during the day was that given by Warcloud, an aged gelding by Wildwood out of Leda, who won the Kirkwood Handicap of 11/?I 1 /? miles, saddle, in the fast time of 3.51. In that race he was on 12sec, and was pulled back to 2secs in the. Castlecliff Handicap of ly'2 miles, later on, when he finished second, coming with a fine spurt over the last half mile, but just failing to catch Glenidol, 22secs, who trotted in attractive style. In the Cup Glenidol tired to nothing at the end, but in the Castlecliff Handicap he finished strongly. Master Ham won the Maiden, for which he was a strong favourite. The management of the meting left little to be desired, and Mi- Selby Morton, the secretary was complimented by many visitors on the excellence of the arrangements. Speculation was fairly brisk, the sum of £3951 being put through the machine by Messrs Neylon and Spriggens, a sum nearly twice as large as was handled on the opening day last year.