AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1429, 13 September 1917, Page 19

AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB.

SPRING MEETING. Local trotting enthusiasts are looking forward with keen interest to the opening of the new season in Auckland, and it is a source of gratification to know that this is but a month off, the Auckland Trotting Club having completed arrangements for the holding of their spring meeting at Alexandra Park on Saturday, October 13. Not only will the meeting in question open the 1917-18 trotting season in Auckland, but will have the distinct on of being the first local gathering to attract the attention of turf followers m connection with the new season’s fixtures, no race attractions having been held in the Auckland province Since early in June, making the off season an unusually lengthy one. It is, therefore, not surprising that unparalleled interest is being centred by racegoers in the approaching oneday meeting of the Auckland Club, and as the officials of the club have arranged a particularly attract.ve programme it only requires fine weather to ensure the new season being opened at Alexandra Park under most auspicious circumstances. The principal event to come up for decision will be the Spring Handicap (harness), of 250sovs (two miles), for. which a splendid nomination should be received, including entries from the south. It should be borne in mind by southern owners and trainers of trotters that the Otahuhu Trotting Club’s spring meeting takes place at Alexandra Park a week later than the Auckland gathering, Saturday, October 20, being the date decided upoif by the Otahuhu Club. This fact should prove a big incentive to southern owners to journey north with their horses, as they w‘ll have the opportunity of starting their horses at two leading trotting fixtures within a week before making the return trip. The October Handicap (harness), of 150sovs (one mile and a-quarter), gives promise of providing a sterling race, as a good field Is assured, while the Onehunga Handicap (harness), of 120sovs (two miles), in which the limit is 4min 58sec, the lesser lights will be given a chance of earning distinction. Special interest will be taken in the Mountain Trot Handicap (harness), of 130sovs, one mle and a-half, which is for trotting horses only. Other harness events to come up for decision are the' Mid-dle-class Handicap, of 75sovs (one mile and a-half) and the Electric Handicap, of lOOsovs (one mile), while owners of saddle horses will be mainly concerned with the Stewards’ Handicap, of lOOsovs (one mile) and the Maiden Trot Handicap, of 75sovs (one mile and a-half), the latter event being restr'cted to trotting horses only. Altogether the programme is one that will meet with deserved appreciation from trotting men, and the unmistakeable signs of activity among trainers, who refer with unconcealed enthusiasm to the approaching fixture, can be safely accepted as a criterion of the sportsmanlike spirit which preva ls in local trotting circles, and the keen desire of the club’s patrons to foster light harness rac'ng in Auckland. Nominations for all events close with the secretary, Mr. C. F. Mark, on Friday, September 28, at 9 p.m., when a splendid response may be safely anticipated from owners and trainers. The handicaps are due to make their appearance on Tuesday, October 2. GREAT NORTHERN TROTTING DERBY. The Auckland Trotting Club have, with commendable enterprise. increased the stake money apportioned for the Great Northern Trotting Derby from 250sovs to 350sovs, making it a strong inducement to owners of three-year-olds in all parts of New Zealand to nominate eligible -candidates for this important mile and a-half event. The members of the club have invariably shown their desire to encourage and improve the thoroughbred stock of the Dominion, and their generous act on in connection with the next Great Northern Trotting Derby is proof of their readiness to extend every encouragement in this direction. The Great Northern Trotting Derby is to be run at the summer meeting of the club, held during the Christmas and New Year holidays, but owners should make a special note that nominations for this particular event are due with Mr. C. F. Mark, the secretary, on Friday, November 2, 1917.