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1894 LANCASTER PARK AMATEUR TROTTING CLUB EASTER MEETING

Handicappers - Messrs J A Connell and H Piper; Starter - Mr C O'Connor.

The Easter Meeting of the Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club was held today. There was a large attendance. Results:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 30 sovs. One mile.

Mr W B Hammond's blk m Holly, aged, 8sec (Owner) 1.

Mr P Devane's b m Victoria II, aged, 4sec (E Price) 2.

Mr M Friedlander's dn m Miss Poole, 5yrs, scr (C Kerr) 3.

Defeat 8sec, Elsie 8sec, Virginia 8sec, Mariner 9sec, Miss Graham 11sec, Kitty O'Shea 11sec and Le Tartuffe 12sec slso started.

Won all out by three lengths, two lengths between second and third.

Time 2min 57sec. Dividend - £4 5s.

PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 45 sovs, second 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr G Cridge's blk m Medjidie, aged, 20sec (Owner) 1.

Mr A Duncan's b m Bep, aged, 30sec (Owner) 2.

Mr F Angus'ns br g General, aged, 2sec behind (Angus) 3.

Opossum 10sec, Pride of Erin 14sec, Mountjoy 16sec, Energy 16sec, Milly 18sec, Vim 28sec and Woodlands 30sec also started.

Bep led for a mile and a half when Vim passed her, but immediately broke, and Bep took the lead again and held it to the home stretch, where Medjidie headed her and won a good race by a length.

Time 5min 53sec. Dividend - £6 3s.

HANDICAP PONY TROT (in harness) of 25 sovs; second 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr T Honeybone's b m Polly Plum, 6sec, aged (Munro) 1

Tongs scr, Woodlands 18sec, Dorothy 6sec, Merrybody 20sec, Searchlight 24sec, Sandy 26sec and Bella 32sec also started.

Dividend - £2 7s.

LINWOOD STAKES HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 80 sovs; second 7 sovs and third 3 sovs. Two miles.

Mr T Honeybone's b m Ipswich, aged, 26sec (Munro) 1.

Mr W Kerr's ns br g Felix, aged, 22sec (Owner) 2.

Victor scr, Te Wanahu 24sec, May 26sec, Olly 26sec, Prince Victor 28sec Messenger 28sec and August 28sec also started.

Time 5min 40sec. Dividend - £10 1s.

SELLING HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 30 sovs. Two miles.

Mr A Clegg's ch m Valentine, 5yrs, 36sec (Owner) 1.

Mr T Walker's br g Energy, aged, 16sec (Owner) 2.

Seawood 30sec, Artemus 32sec, Dingo 32sec and Cashmere 36sec also started.

Won by a neck. Time 6min 27sec. Dividend - £3 3s. The winner was bought in for £9 5s.

PARK STAKES HANDICAP TROT of 120 sovs; second 15 sovs and third 5 sovs. Three miles.

Mr C Kerr's ch g Sonny, aged, 2sec (Owner) 1.

Mr H Mace's blk c Brooklyn, 3yrs, 3sec (Milne) 2.

Mr P Howard's br m Shamrock, aged, 16sec (Munro) 3.

Three Cheers 6sec and Boston Girl 16sec also started.

Time 8min 10 1/2sec. Dividend - £2 15s.

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs. One mile.

Mr A Duncan's b m Bep, aged, 13sec (Owner) 1.

Mr J Reynolds' b m Vim, aged, 12sec (Munro) 2.

Agnes May 11sec, Kentucky Maid 11sec, Prince Albert 12sec, Te Kooti 13sec, Slabs 13sec, V B Q 14sec, Molly 14sec, Jeannette 15sec, Eileen Alannah 15sec, Barn Dance 16sec, Hollywood 16sec and Beatrice 16sec also started.

Won by thirty yards from Vim, the rest nowhere. Time 3min 1sec. Dividend - £3 9s.

SPRINT HANDICAP of 30 sovs; second 5 sovs. One mile.

Mr R Hill's gr m White Wings, aged, 16sec (Owner) 1.

General 6sec, Felix 11sec, Te Wanahu 12sec, Boston Girl 12sec, Sandgate 13sec, Bide-a-Wee 14sec, August 14sec, Holly 15sec, Gipsy's Warning 15sec, Hippias 16sec, Miss Irwell 18sec, Nellie 18sec, Nipper 22sec, Meg 23sec and Valentine 25sec also started.

Won by one hundred yards. Time 2min 46 1/2sec. Dividend - £3.

-o0o-

Some desireable improvements have been made in the totalisator arrangements at Lancaster Park. The waggons in which the machines were placed are done away with, and the instruments are set up on a permanent framework, and roofed in by a neat awning. The work has been carried out jointly by the Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club and Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin, and is well worth inspection by suburban and country clubs who employ the "original patentees" to conduct their totalisator business.

Credit: Star 24 & 26 Mar 1894

Matters came to a head in July 1893 when a strong new Club was formed and an application made to the Lancaster Park Ground Company for the use of the Park for four days per year at a rental of £40 per day. The Committee of the old Lancaster Park Trotting Club was very upset at being ousted and obtained a lease of Sydenham Park. To add to the confusion both Clubs applied to race on Friday, 10th November 1893. After much lobbying, approaches to the Colonial Secretary and the presentation of a petition to him the new Club was granted a Totalisator Permit by the Government just prior to the inaugural meeting on Friday, 10th November, 1893. The Club adopted the title of “Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club”. A newspaper report dated 28th December, 1893 stated that the old Lancaster Park Trotting Club had ceased to race. This was the beginning of the end of the proprietary Clubs. In August 1894 there was a protest meeting held to block the old Club racing four days a year at Sydenham Park. This protest was upheld and the old Club then approached the Lancaster Park Sports Committee and, it appeared, without success as the Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club was credited with racing at the Park.


Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker

1893 LANCASTER PARK AMATEUR TROTTING CLUB: INAUGURAL MEETING

Handicapper, Mr H V Styche; Starter, Mr C O'Connor

A truly record attendance assembled at Lancaster Park for the opening meeting of the Amateur Trotting Club yesterday.

The executive has been handsomely rewarded for the venturesome programme submitted to competition. Over £100 was taken at the gates, and when it is stated £4155 was passed through the totalisator it will be seen that there will be ample revenue to provide for the handsome prizes that were won. Congratulations, therefore, have to be offered the Club on the success that has attended their inaugural gathering. The appointments, too, left no room for complaint, and the officials and stewards worked right heartily to achieve the success that awaited their efforts.

The sport itself cannot be described as high class, there being but few capable performers seen out. The three first events were easily secured by the expected winners, and the same remark applies to the Champion Handicap, in which the favourite, Blue Mountain, got home. He, however, cut a poor figure, breaking each time entering the straight, and showing but little pace during any portion of the two miles, which it took nearly even time to complete.

Geordie and Minnie were equal favourites for the Selling Handicap, the former having some luck, in that the scratch horse cast a shoe when surely overhauling him. Fiona and Miss Poole had an interesting set to in the Saddle Handicap, victory resting with the former. The success of Black Belle in the November Handicap was fully anticipated, but the mare failed in her endeavour to get through in the following and final event. This proved the race of the day, Ragamuffin and Felix finished so close together that until the numbers went up people were in doubt as to which had won.

Details are as follows:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 30 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. One mile.

Mr J Parkerson's br g Spec, 6yrs, 7sec (Hamilton) 1.
Mr B Hill's gr m Icicle, aged, 9sec (Owner) 2.
Mr J Hammond's br m Elsie, 6yrs, 5sec (Owner) 3.

Starlight scr, Norwood 6sec, Minnie 7sec and Marshlands 12sec also started.

Spec took command in the first round, and going on won easily by forty-five yards from Icicle. Time 2min 51sec. Dividends - £10 18s.

STEWARD'S STAKES HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 55 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr W Rae's b g Three Cheers, 5yrs, 20sec (Owner) 1.
Mr R G Warne's b m Madge, aged, 34sec (Gosling) 2.
Mr C Cridge's blk m Medjidie, aged, 26sec (Warburton) 3.

Sonny 2sec, Tennessee 26sec, Tommy 32sec, Starlight 34sec also started.

Madge led for a mile and a half, when Three Cheers caught her, and holding his position to the finish, won by forty yards from Madge. Time 5min 46 1/2sec. Dividend - £6 1s.

HANDICAP PONY TROT (in saddle) of 25 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr R Hill's gr m Icicle, aged, 20sec (Owner) 1.
Mr A Douglas' rn g Woodlands, aged, 26sec (Owner) 2.
Mr W J Bell's blk g Nipper, 4yrs, 26sec (Farrar) 3.

Sambo scr, Hilda scr, Meliora 11sec Merrybody 18sec, Goldspur 20sec, Sweet Pea 20sec, Ann 26sec, Search Light 26sec also started.

Nipper at once drew out and made the running for a mile. Here, however. Icicle caught him, and going on, won as she pleased by one hundred yards from Woodlands. Time 6min 1sec. Dividend £1 14s 6d.

CHAMPION HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 150 sovs; second horse 15 sovs and third 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr W Kerr's b g Blue Mountain, 4yrs, 39sec (Owner) 1.
Mr C Howard's blk m Shamrock, aged, 6sec (Hammill) 2.
Mr W Moore's b m Ellen, aged, 12sec (Price) 3.

Count 18sec, Nellie 36sec, Doll 39sec, Kelpie 41sec also started.

Blue Mountain took command in the first round, and holding his position to the finish, won in the easiest manner possible by a hundred and twenty yards from Shamrock. Time 5min 55sec. Dividend - £1 5s.

HANDICAP SELLING TROT (in harness) of 30 sovs. Two miles.

Mr A Dale's b g Geordie, aged, 24sec (Owner) 1.

Colonial scr, Energy 12sec, Jubilee II 22sec, Minnie 37sec, Ben Allen 40sec also started.

Geordie took command in the first round. Colonial was catching him fast, but casting a shoe, had to be pulled up, and as the others likewise dropped out, Geordie finished alone. Time 6min 20sec. Dividend - £2 11s 6d.
The winner was bought in at £14.

HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 50 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. One mile.

Mr J Hill's b m Fiona, aged, 21sec (Owner) 1.
Mr M Friedlander's cr m Miss Poole, 5yrs, 21sec (C Kerr) 2.
Mr W Kerr's b g Blue Mountain, 4yrs, 14sec (Owner) 3.

Ellan 6sec, Miss Irwell 16sec, Nellie 18sec, Maid of Cotherstone 19sec, Masher 21sec and Lightning 24sec also started. Time 2min 51sec.

Miss Poole drew away from Fiona rounding the first bend, but broke again going a few yards and passing the stand the first time Fiona was several lengths to the good. Stiking close together the pony mares kept well in advance of the others, but Fiona always had a little the best of it, and won by three lengths. Time, 2min 51sec. Dividend - £3 9s 6d.

NOVEMBER HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 110 sovs; second horse 10 sovs and third horse 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr H Fear's blk m Black Belle by Blackwood Abdallah-Fanny Belle, 5yrs, 33sec (W Kerr) 1.
Mr J Munro's br g Felix, aged, 20sec (Owner) 2.
Mr W Jardin's b m Dorothy, aged, 30sec (Farrar) 3.

Marion 24sec, Shrewsbury 30sec, Mallow (late Bay Tom) 38sec and Diplomacy 40sec also started.

Mallow led for the first round, when Black Belle went to the front, and, going right away from the others, was 150 yardsin front of Felix, when she passed the post. Time 5min 42sec. Dividend - £1 16s.
A protest was entered against the winner on the ground that she started before her time, and had likewise a flying start. After hearing the starter the protest was dismissed.

FINAL HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 50 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. One mile.

Mr J McGregor's b g Ragamuffin, aged, 17sec (Owner) 1.
Mr J Munro's br g Felix, aged, 3sec (Owner) 2.
Mr H Fear's blk m Black Belle, 5yrs, 5sec(5sec pen) (W Kerr) 3.

Mallow(late Bay Tom) 12sec, Madge 12sec, Bep 15sec, Dorothea 16sec, Will-o'-the-Wisp 16sec, Jenny Lind 17sec, Boulanger 17sec and Woodlands 17sec also started.

Ragamuffin was in front when a round had been completed; Black Belle, who was coming fast, having run into fourth place. The latter was blocked at the back of the track in the second lap and Felix passed on in pursuit of the leader. Steadily gaining, he was within three lengths entering the straight, and an exciting race to the post resulted in the pair passing the post locked together, the verdict being a head in favour of Ragamuffin. Time 3min 8sec. Dividend - £31 8s 6d.



Credit: The Press 11 Nov 1893

1893 LANCASTER PARK TROTTING CLUB SUMMER MEETING

Handicappers - The Committee, Starter - Mr H J Derrett.

The Summer Meeting of the Lancaster Park Trotting Club was held on Saturday. The afternoon was extremely hot, and a heavy north-wester blew clouds of dust across the course, making matters rather uncomfortable. Otherwise, the gathering was most enjoyable. The attendance, considering everything, was large, the racing good, and speculation fairly brisk, Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin, who worked the machine, passing the sum of £2202 through the machines during the afternoon. The following are details of the racing:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr J Roderigue's br g Masher, 5yrs, 8sec (Owner) 1.

Mr W Jackman's gr m Fair Nell, aged, scr, (Harris) 2.

Ben Allen 5sec, S P D 7sec, Kit 8sec, Roland Jess 8sec, Fiona 8sec, Raincliffe 8sec, Rena 8sec, Orphan Boy 8sec, Lulu 10sec, Dalium 10sec, Chance 10sec, Marshland 10sec also started.

Masher took the lead when half a mile had been covered, and going on won by twenty yards from Fair Nell. Time 3min 13sec. Dividend - £5 4s 6d.

HANDICAP PONY TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs; second horse 2 1/2 sovs. One mile.

Mr J G E Winsloe's b m Hilda, 4yrs, 21sec (W Kerr) 1.

Mr J Hill's b g Bobby Burns, aged, scr 2.

Mr J Butler's br g Humbug, aged, 10sec (Owner) 3.

Madeline 19sec, Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay 19sec, Lady Maud 19sec, Tit 20sec, Newland Maid 21sec, Meliora 21sec, Lulu 21sec, Senator Bill 23sec, Emperor 23sec, Apprentice and Princess May 23sec also started.

Hilda caught the leaders in the first hundred yards, and keeping her position to the finish, won by thirty yards from Bobby Burns. Time 3min 8sec. Dividend - £2 12s 6d.

LANCASTER PARK HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 100 sovs; second horse 10 sovs. Two miles.

Mr C Kerr's ch m Jane Douglas, 6yrs, 52sec (Owner) 1.

Mr T Liken's blk m Ravenswing, 6yrs, 50sec (Robertson) 2.

Bridal Rose 42sec, Rata 44sec, Stockholm 46sec, May Queen 50sec, Ballance 52sec and Maid of Lusky 58sec also started.

Jane Douglas twice broke badly during the first half mile, and Ravenswing carried on the running until the fifth round was reached. Here, however, Jane Douglas caught her, and, going on, won by thirty yards. Time 5min 37sec. Dividend - £1 13s.

HANDICAP SELLING TROT (in saddle) of 25 sovs. One mile.

Mr E Baldwin's b g Charlie, aged, 15sec (Hammill) 1.

Mr J McGregor's br g Pegusus, aged, 11sec (C Kerr) 2.

Fair Nell 3sec, Black Oats 8sec, Dick Pape 15sec, Sussex 15sec, Lina 15sec, Shuffler 17sec and Cocoa 17sec also started.

Charlie got to the front in the first fifty yards, and, holding his position to the finish, won by thirty yards. Time 3min 1 1/2sec. Dividend - £1 16s. The winner was bought in at £14 10s.

THE WILKIN STAKES HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 50 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr P Howard's br m Shamrock, aged, 29sec (Munroe) 1.

Mr A G Holmes' b m Lady Jane, aged, 29sec (Harrold) 2.

Mr J Murray's b m Tennessee, aged, 42sec (Vallance) 3.

Bedale 9sec, Commotion 50sec, Shrewsbury 52sec also started.

Commotion made the running for a mile, when Shamrock and Lady Jane passed him, and Shamrock, lasting longest, won by thirty yards. Time 5min 53 1/4sec. Dividend - £11.

PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 40 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr T Liken's blk m Ravenswing, 6yrs, 50sec (Robertson) 1.

Mr C Kerr's ch m Jane Douglas, 6yrs, 42sec (Owner) 2.

May Queen 50sec, Ballance 52sec and Chuznee 57sec also started.

Ravenswing took the lead at the end of half a mile, and, drawing out, won by thirty yards from Jane Douglas. Time 5min 32sec. Dividend - £2 19s 6d.

SUMMER HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 40 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr J Goodger's ns b m Maid of Lusky, aged, 20sec (Owner) 1.

Mr W Jardin's b m Dorothy, aged, 12sec (Owner) 2.

Sandgate scr, Mistake 8sec, Vulcan 16sec, Sambo 18sec Dennis 20sec and Marshland 25sec also started.

Maid of Lusky got to the front in the first quarter of a mile, and going on won by a hundred and fifty yards from Dorothy. Time - 6min 7sec. Dividend - £7 6s 6d.

FINAL HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 25 sovs; second horse 3 sovs. One mile.

Mr C Kerr's ch m Jane Douglas, 6yrs, 17sec (Owner) 1.

Mr T Free's br h Young Irvington, aged, 10sec (A Free) 2.

Commotion 24sec, Hippias 24sec, Bide-a-wee II 24sec, Lightning 26sec, Fiona 26sec and Lady Maud 28sec also started.

Jane Douglas got to the front half a mile from home, and holding her position to he finish won easily by forty yards from Young Irvington. Time 2min 47sec. Dividend - £1 10s.

Credit: Star 23 Jan 1893

1893 LANCASTER PARK TROTTING CLUB AUTUMN MEETING

Handicappers - The Committee; Starter - Mr H J Derrett.

The weather is fine for the Autumn Meeting of the Lancaster Park Trotting Club, and the attendance is large. The following are details of the racing:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr H Meeson's blk g Empire, 4yrs, 12sec (B Edwards) 1.

Mr F Johnston's ch m Lina, 6yrs, 10sec (Owner) 2.

The Duke 5sec, August 5sec, Glengarry 8sec, Lady Linton 8sec, Peerswick 8sec, Moonlight 8sec, Luna 8sec, St Elmo 8sec, Moor Lad 8sec, Opossum 8sec, Acrobat 8sec, Elsie 10sec, Milly 10sec, Bilbah 10sec, Rena 12sec and Silver Grey 12sec also started.

Lina took command in the first quarter of a mile, and led until two hundred yards from home. Here, however, she broke, and Empire going on won by fifteen yards.
Time 3min 7sec. Dividend £4 14s.

HANDICAP PONY TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr G King's b g Apprentice, aged, 25sec (Owner) 1.

Mr C Kerr's gr m Meliora, aged, 21sec (Owner) 2.

Mr A Guy's blk m Miss Irwell, aged, 10sec (Owner) 3.

Bide-a-Wee II 14sec, Empire 16sec, Miss Sligo 18sec, Taradale 18sec, Uncle Tom 19sec, Lady Maud 19sec, Lily 19sec, Sefton 21sec, Tit 21 sec, Toby II 23sec, Nona 23sec, Lulu 23sec, Nipper, Princess May 28sec also started.

Apprentice made all the running and just lasted long enough to win by ten yards from Meliora. Time 3min 8 1/2 sec. Dividend - £40.

AUTUMN HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 75 sovs. Two miles.

Mr R Hill's br m Newlyn Maid, aged, 46sec (Owner) 1.

Mr J Marsden's ch g The Joker, aged, 46sec (J Hill) 2.

Mr J Adcock's blk m Hippias, aged, 41sec (C Kerr) 3.

Victor scr, Maid of Ulster 28sec, Bonniveen 30sec, Eos 32sec, Westleigh 34sec, Billy Buttons 39sec, Le Corbeu 41sec, Gentle Annie 46sec and Ballance 46sec also started.

Gentle Annie made the running for one round, when The Joker took command and went on in front until 200 yards from home. Here Newlyn Maid and Hippias joined the leader and a great finish resulted in Newlyn Maid winning by a head from The Joker, with Hippias a similar distance aay third. Time 5min 49 3/4sec Dividend - £65.

STALLION HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 50 sovs. Two miles.

Mr H Mace's br h Berlin Abdallah Walk Over.

INITIATORY HANDICAP CLASS TROT (in harness) of 50 sovs; second hrse 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr W Kerr's ns br g Ringwood, aged, 19sec (Owner) 1.

Mr T Roderigue's blk h Victor,aged, scr (Owner) 3.

Young Irvington 11sec, Nilreb 13sec, Shamrock 13sec, Lady Warbeck 27sec and Regina 27sec also started.

Ringwood got to the front in the second round, and going on won by ninety yards from Victor. Time 5min 25sec. Dividend - £1 19s 6d.

LANCASTER PARK HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 50 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr A G Holmes' b h General Tracy, aged, 17sec (C Harrold) 1.

Mr W Jardine's gr m Belle Mahone, aged, 21sec (Munroe) 2.

Time 5min 52sec. Dividend - £2 12s.

HANDICAP SELLING TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr J Hanna's b g Wangaloo, aged, 17sec (E Murfitt) 1.

Mr H Skiffington's fn m Commodore, aged, 20sec (Owner) 2.

Time 2min 59sec. Dividend - £7 3s. The winner was bought in at £16 10s.

FINAL HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 25 sovs; second horse 2 1/2 sovs. One mile.

Mr B Edwards' blk g Raven, aged, 10sec (Owner) 1.

Mr J Adcock's br m Hippias, aged, 12sec (C Kerr) 2.

Time 2min 51sec. Dividend - £2 8s.

Credit: Star 1 Apr 1893

1892 LANCASTER PARK TROTTING CLUB

Of all the excellent meetings seen at Lancaster Park there never was a better one than that which took place yeasterday.The attendance was larger, the amount of speculation greater and the trotting for some of the events better than has ever been witnessed in Canterbury.

The Prince of Wales' Birthday Handicap saw Dakota, a son of Berlin, to great advantage, and Mr Winsloe's gelding lowered the two-mile winning saddle record to 5min 21sec, while Contractor, who is also a son of Berlin, was third, and he covered the two miles in 5min 13sec - a great performance. Over £1000 was invested in the race.

The Wilkin Stakes, called after the late Mr R Wilkin, who imported many of the best Yankee bred horses, was most fittingly opened, and seldom has such a contest been witnessed in or out of this colony. Tommy, the Timaru gelding, an aged bay, son of Blackwood Abdallah, and Dakota, an aged son of Berlin, driven respectively by C Kerr ans W Kerr, fought out one of the greatest races ever seen. Dakota, who had 5sec start, was prevented from getting through in the early part of the horses in front, and thus Tommy gat a show of placing himself almost on terms, and round after round was covered with Tommy keeping close to the wheel of Dakota's sulky, the latter tripping within thirty yards of the post. More excitement has perhaps never been witnessedin a race on a trotting track before. The winner, C Kerr, receiving a tremendous ovation, as also did his brother W Kerr, who was beaten, and the rival aadmirers of the Berlins and Blackwoods were in a great state of ferment over the result, the harness recordsof Kentucky and Rarus having been lowered by both Tommy and Dakota. The latter later on covered a mile in 2min 40 1/4sec. The sum of £4758 was passed through the totalisator.

The following are details of the racing up to the time of our going to press:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr G Keats' b m Miss Molly, 6yrs, 8sec (Owner) 1.
Mr A Scott's br g Spreydon Led, 4yrs, 8sec (Moorhouse) 2.
Mr A Hope's b g G O M, aged, 7sec (Hume) 3.

Ouida 4sec, Orizaba 4sec Wangaloa 6sec and Bess 8sec also started.

Miss Molly led all the way, and won by two lengths from Spreydon Lad. Time 3min 7 1/2sec. Dividend - £9 9s 6d.

HANDICAP PONY TROT (in saddle) of 15 sovs. 14.2 or under. One mile.

Mr E Bowe's br g Bobtail, aged, 14sec (C Kerr) 1.
Mr W F Jackman's br g Chuznee, aged, 6sec (Edwards) 2.
Mr J Morrison's b m Ayrshire Lass, aged, 8sec (Hill) 3.

Alice Gray 15sec, Nona 16sec, Apprentice 19sec, Merivale 23sec, Merlinda 23sec, Tite 25sec, Maritana 25sec also started.

Tute led for one round, when he bolted and Bobtail, taking command in the second round, won by five lengths from Chuznee. Time 3min 12sec. Dividend - £1 18s.

THE PRINCE OF WALES' BIRTHDAY HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 100 sovs; second horse 10 sovs and third 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr J G Winsloe's b g Dakota by Berlin, aged, 30sec (W Kerr) 1.
Mr F McCafferty's br m Rosewood, 3yrs, 35sec (Harrold) 2.

Mr R Sutherland's b m Paulina, aged, 36sec (Needham) 3.

Contractor scr, Tommy (Moore's) 15sec, Tennessee 28sec, Victoria II 30sec, Maid of Ulster 30sec, Tommy (Henricksen's) 35sec, Wakarara 36sec, Spec 44sec also started.

Pauline led for a mile, when Dakota passed her and, drawing right away won by one hundred yards from Rosewood who was therefore distanced. Time 5min 21sec. Dividend - £1 19s.

HANDICAP SELLING TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr T Waddington's ch g Fairholm, aged, 23sec (Moorhouse) 1.
Mr M Taylor's b g Jubilee, aged, 10sec (M Edwards) 2.

Zetland 16sec, Bobtail 18sec(2sec pen), Miss Molly 16sec(5sec pen), Broomlands 21sec, Tinker 21sec, Icicle 23sec, Apprentice 25sec.

Won easily by twenty yards. Time, 3min 5sec. dividend £1 15s.

THE WILKIN STAKES, a handicap in harness of 50 sovs; 5 sovs from the stake for second. Open only to horses that have American strains of trotting blood either on the sire or dam's side. Two miles.

Mt W Moore's b g Tommy by Blackwood Abdallah, aged, 15sec (C Kerr) 1.
Mr J G E Winsloe's b g Dakota by Berlin, aged, 20sec(10sec pen)(W Kerr) 2.
Mr J Shaw's b g Contractor by Berlin, 6yrs, scr (Allen) 3.
Mr J Sleightholme's blk m Diana by Blackwood Abdallah, aged, 33sec (Edwards) distanced.

After going once round, Dakota assumed command, being temporarily checked, however, by the leaders. This gave Tommy a chance of getting up, and on entering the second round he was within a length and a half of Dakota. In the next round he had got within half a length, and at every stretch of straight struggled hard to get up amidst the greatest excitement. In the fourth round he got almost on level terms, but again Dakota responded and was fully half a length to the good. Entering on the final round Dakota was a length to the good, and the shouting and cheering seemed to cause the horse to strain every effort. As they turned for home, with Dakota only a neck in advance, the cheering increased. At this stage the inner wheel of the sulky in which Dakota was driven caught the grass and he broke, and Tommy just got home by a bare half length, the greatest enthusiasm being shown, the others pulling up. Time, 5min 30 3/4sec. Dividend £2 10s.

PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP (in saddle) of 40 sovs; 5 sovs for second. Two miles.

Mr O Digby's b m Josephine, 6yrs, 35sec (Digby) 1.
Mr C Harold's b m Miss Cave, 6yrs, 25sec (Owner) 2.
Mr A G Holmes' ch g Bridal Rose, 4yrs, 29sec (Price) distanced.

Tom 10sec, Magpie 25sec, Maid of Ulster 27sec, Fairchild 27sec, Gipsy's Warning 28sec, Parnell 28sec, Peppermint 32sec, Louie 33sec, Factory Girl 35sec, Lightning 37sec, Rosewood 40sec also started.

Josephine went to the front and stopped there throughout. At the end of the first mile Parnell was second, but Miss Cave then passed him and made up a few seconds on her handicap, but could not get up, Josephine winning by about ten lengths, Bridal Rose distanced. Time, 5min 37sec. Dividend £19 12s.

LANCASTER PARK HANDICAP (in harness)of 40 sovs; 5 sovs for second. Two miles.

Mr A Jardine's b m Dorothy, 44sec (Farrar) 1.
Mr A G Holmes' b m Lady Jane, 20sec, distanced.

Contractor scr, Wakarara 30sec(10sec pen), Hippias 33sec, Pride of Erin 33sec, Boulanger 42sec, Chaos 42sec, Spec 44sec, Lena 44sec also started.

Dorothy soon forged ahead and never gave her opponents a chance, winning easily, Lady Jane failing to come within the distance, Contractor being within two lengths of Lady Jane. Time, 6min 5sec. Dividend £3 2s.

THE FINAL HANDICAP (in saddle) of 25 sovs; 5 sovs for second. Two miles.

Mr J G E Winsloe's b g Dakota, aged, 8sec(5sec pen)(W Kerr) 1.
Mr F Wright's br g Le Corbeau, aged, 22sec (Owner) distanced.

Madcap 6sec, Jess II 9sec, Miss Cave 12sec, Josephine 13sec, Coronella 12sec, Unknown 13sec, Factory Girl 18sec, Orizaba 18sec, Miss Irwell 19sec, Lightning 19sec, Vulcan 20sec, Locket 21sec, Broomlands 22sec.

Le Corbeau went strong all the way, but Dakota, who travelled fast, caught him in the last half lap, and won cleverly by over 60 yards. Time 2min 40 1/4sec. Dividend £2 6s 6d.

-o0o-

Star 12 Nov 1892

Handicappers, the Committee; Starter, Mr H J Derrett.

The Spring Meeting of the Lancaster Park Trotting Club was held yesterday, and was one of the most successful gatherings organised by the Club. The attendance was a best on record, while Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin, who worked the totalisator, passed the large sum of £4758 through the machines during the afternoon, and the racing was exceptionally interesting.

The Wilkin Stakes, for horses bred from American strains on either the sire's or dam's side, produced a magnificent struggle between Tommy and Dakota, and the former, most patiently handled by C Kerr, just got up in the straight and won by half a length.

The management, under the watchful eye of Mr A J Rattray, left little to be desired, and the authorities deserve a word of commendation for ejecting a defaulter who was found on the course, and thus setting an example that other institutions would do well to follow.


Credit: The Press 12 Nov 1892

The new regime operated as a proprietary Club until March 1892 when the Cricket Company decided not to allow a proprietary Club the use of Lancaster Park for Trotting after the expiry of the existing arrangements. If Trotting was to continue at the Park the Company ruled it must be conducted by an amateur Club that would direct the profit towards stakes rather than towards the income of a few shareholders.

In October 1892 it was reported that the following proprietary Clubs were operating:

Lancaster Park Trotting Club racing at Lancaster Park

Plumpton Park Trotting Club racing at Sockburn

Lower Heathcote Racing and Trotting Club racing at Heathcote

New Brighton Racing Club racing at New Brighton

Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker

1891 LANCASTER PARK TROTTING CLUB: NOVEMBER MEETING

Omn Monday evening a change took place in the weather, rain commencing to fall at the conclusion of the CJC races. The rain continued throughout the night, and in consequence the cinder track at Lancaster Park was in some places covered with surface water, and it was decided by the Stewards to postpone the races until Friday, the 13th inst. This decision was greatly influenced by the custodian, who pointed out the fact that the track would be seriously cut up. A large number of people made their way to the Park, and were disappointed that the meeting was not to be held, though everyone was of the opinion that the decision was judicious.

-o0o-

Stewards - Messrs S P Andrews, H J Derrett, J S Williams, W Tonks, A Bullock, T Marr, H Hearfield, J P Calvert. Handicapper, Mr W White; Starter, Mr H J Derrett; Secretary - Mr Rattray.

The Lancaster Park Trotting Club were fortunate in getting a fine day for their meeting yesterday, and though the Show was a counter-attraction still the public turned out in strong force, and the attendance was probably the best we have seen at the Park at a trotting meeting.

The fields were good, if not altogether high-class, and some very interesting contests resulted. Speculation was good throughout, and the sum of £3761 was passed through the totalisators, which is a record in Canterbury. The Club charged 11 1/2% to the public.

The first race ended in quite a surprise, the winner, Countess II, retuned a dividend of £35. Pansy, who was second, would also have paid a nice dividend and would probably have won had her rider not made the mistake of supposing that he had another round to go. Sultan showed what a good pony he is by covering the two miles in the Pony Saddle race in 6min 2sec, and this clearly proved that he had not run up to his form in the first race. The owner of the second pony was late in putting in a protest against Sultan for inconsistent running.

Butterfly put up a good time in the Class Trot, covering the two miles in 5min 36sec, Star of Honor failed to show the form he did at the Plumpton on Thursday. Farewell, who was second, has seldom shown to better advantage. Lilly beat a poor field in the Maiden Harness, though Blue Bell will make a useful mare in time. The Major can go fast, but he was not driven any too well. Iona went in good style, as also did Little Duck in the harness race for ponies and galloways, and the former, who was favourite, won.

The Carnival Trot resulted in an easy win for Hippias, who went to the front and was never headed. Rith and Berlin Abdallah were made strong favourites in the machines, but the latter did not warm to his work until he had gone three of four rounds, and Ruth - well Ruth showed very poor form from start to finish, and her driver was hooted and had up before the Stewards on suspicion of having pulled the mare. J Wright was put up by the Club to drive Ruth against the watch, and she covered a mile in three minutes ten seconds, going fast in patched but breaking frequently. She did not break, however, during the race, in which she failed to show anything like the same speed. The decision of the Stewards in the matter will be made known on Tuesday.

The following are the results:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. Two miles.

Mr A Wright's b m Countess II, 5yrs, 12sec (Owner) 1.
Mr F Needham's b m Pansy, aged, 12sec (Owner) 2.

Iolanthe scr, Mungo Maid 7sec, Bridal Rose 7sec, Baker's Maid 7sec, The Duchess 7sec, Success 7sec, The Frog 7sec, Ida II 8sec, Mecca 10sec, Sultan 10sec, Queen of the Isles 12sec, Biddy 12sec, Ballance 14sec(coupled with Pansy), Kitty O'Shea and Apprentice (coupled) each 14sec also started.

Countess II led all the way and won by a couple of lengths, the rider of Pansy making a mistake, supposing it to be another round. No third placing, but Kitty O'Shea was in that position. Time 6min 2sec. Dividend £35

HANDICAP PONY OR GALLOWAY TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. Two miles.

Mr A Clegg's b g Sultan, 4yrs, 27sec (Owner) 1.
Mr T D Manton's b g Dick, aged, 47sec (Owner) 2.
Mr J Dewey's blk g Sambo, aged, 27sec (Owner) 3.

Bobby Burns 7sec(J Hill), Pan-kon-che 9sec(Johnston), Miss Sligo 13sec(Holmes), Humbug 18sec(Owner), Tuesday 22sec(C Kerr), Exile 30sec(Owner), Iona 37sec(Farrar), Little Duck 38sec(Bowes), Thislixum 40sec(Turton), Bloxwich 40sec(Owner), May 42sec(Owner), Bobtail 45sec also started.

In the third round Thislixum broke and let up Dick, but Sultan came fast and got to the head of affairs in the last round winning comfortably from Dick, Sambo a fair third and Humbug well up fourth. Time 6min 2sec. Dividend £9 19s 6d.

LANCASTER PARK HANDICAP CLASS TROT (in saddle) of 50sovs; second horse to receive 5 sovs from stake. Open to horses that can do 6min 10sec or under. Two miles.

Mr J Dixon's b m Butterfly, aged, 20sec (Owner) 1.
Mr A Douglas' b m Farewell, aged, 33sec (J Douglas) 2.

Inferno, aged, 12sec(Wright), Connemara, aged, 20sec(Gaskin), Energy, aged, 20sec(Walker), Marion, aged, 25sec(Bowes), Star of Honor, aged, 27sec(Harrold), Snowball, aged, 27sec(Homer), Vivian Grey, aged, 27sec(Martin), Nelly, aged, 30sec(Parish), Fragment, aged, 30sec(Moorehouse), Fairchild, 4yrs 36sec(Whitehead), Tennessee, aged, 36sec(Mills), Lugnaqulla 38sec(Butler) also started.

Butterfly led at the end of the fifth round, and beat Farewell by 30 yds. Nellie trotted well for rhtee-fourths of the journey. Time 5min 37sec. Dividend £4 4s 6d.

HANDICAP PONY OR GALLOWAY TROT (in harness) of 20 sovs. Catch weights. Two miles.

Mr J Sutherland's br m Lilly, 5yrs, 14sec (Price) 1.
Mr H Mace's b m Blue Belle, 5yrs, 12sev (Milne) 2.

The Major, 10sec(Rowan), Governor, 12sec(Gallagher), Biddy 14sec(Harrold), Spec 14sec(Hamilton), Killinchy, 20sec(Munro), Salamanca, 20sec(Duncan) also started.

Lilly got to the front early, and won easily. Time, 6min 33sec. Dividend - coupled with Pansy coupled with Pansy £2 8s.

CARNIVAL HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 50 sovs; 5sovs from the stake for second horse. Two miles.

Mr J Adcock's blk m Hippias, aged, 30sec(Hammond) 1.
Mr H Mace's blk h Berlin Abdallah, 4yrs, 16sec(Wright) 2.

Elsie Gay, scr(Walker), Berlin Maid 10sec(C Kerr), Maud 13sec(Owner), Farewell 13sec(Douglas), Maid of Lusky 20sec(Owner), Ruth 22sec(Farrar), La Grippe 25sec(Bowes) also started.

Hippias did not encounter any serious opposition from those behind her, but La Grippe and Berlin Abdallah were two that certainly appeared to try and overhaul her, but the former was eased up after Berlin Abdallah passed him and several others pulled off the track. Time, 6min 8sec. Dividend - £31 15s.

FLYING HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr W Kerr's Ringwood, aged, 17sec(Owner) 1.
Mr J Goodger's (ns) blk h Apology, aged, 24sec (Owner) 2.
Mr J Tomlinson's b m Mecca, 6yrs, 22sec(J Hill) 3.

Energy 10sec, Star of Honor 13sec, Nelly 15sec, Home Rule 16sec, Fairchild 18sec, Success 18sec, The Major 20sec, Biddy 22sec, Pansy 22sec, Kitty O'Shea 24sec also started.

Ringwood caught Mecca early in the second round, and passed Apology at the end of the same round, and then went on and won comfortably by ten lengths. Time, 2min 48 1/2sec. Dividend £2 15s 6d.

PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr W Kerr's br g Ringwood, aged, 6sec (Owner) 1.
Mr J Goodger's blk m Apology, 6yrs, 14sec (Owner) 2.
Mr M Paget's b m Maud, aged, 7sec (Owner) 3.

Elsie Gay scr, Tommy 5sec, IM 3sec, Jubilee 8sec also started.

Ringwood caught Maud, Jubilee and Apolgy, early, and won cleverly by six lengths. Time, 3min 4sec. Dividend - £2 19s.

Credit: The Press 11 & 14 Nov 1891

LANCASTER PARK TROTTING CLUB: Saturday 1 November 1890

Stewards - Messrs S P Andrews, H Mace, J S Williams, H J Derritt, W Tonks, D Barns, T Marr. Clerk of the Scales - Mr J Kerr. Starter - Mr H J Derritt. Handicapper - The Committee. Treasurer - Mr H Mace.

A fine afternoon favoured the Lancaster Park Trotting Club on Saturday for the meeting, and the attendance was very fair. Fifteen horses saddled up for the first event, won by Jimmy II, Apology and Lady Lynn (favourites) being beaten off. Potatau from scratch in the Mile Harness race, trotted grandly, and won easily.

The third race of the meeting, the Pony Handicap in Saddle, resulted in a complete boil over, Bantam, the favourite, being beaten outside a place, while Taradale, on whom there were but £3 invested out of £181, and with something to spare from Chuznee and Shakespeare, the two latter showing splendid form, however.

Then Mount Joy came out and won the principal event, putting up very good time for a small one. Gipsy's Warning and Silver Pine were most fancied, and they filled the places, but had they not broken up several times they would perhaps have troubled the winner.

The fifth race produced perhaps the very best finish seen at the Park between four horses, and was in doubt right up to the winning post, old Potatau only snatching the victory in the last few strides, Burwood, Fair Nell and Elsie Gay being so close that few but the judge could tell how to place them.

A strong favourite in Whisper got home in the Pony Harness Race, and Gipsy's Warning, who was made favourite for the Mile Saddle Race, got home, backers receiving the smallest dividend of the day, however, on pony Whisper. Billy-the-Nut, who won the Three Mile Harness Race, was well handled by Munro, but was hardly sach a good favourite as Elsie Gay, who could only get third, and this race concluded a very good meeting.

The totalisator handled £1519 for the day.

The following are the results:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr A Hulme's r g Jimmy II, aged, 10sec (Needham) 1.
Mr W Nankerville's ch m Miss Small, aged, 6sec (J Wright) 2.
Mr W Fallon's b m Doll, scr (Owner) 3.

Chance 5sec, Bowie 5sec, Sarah 5sec, Masher 5sec, Apology 6sec, The Maid 6sec, Dick Turpin 8sec, Apprentice 8sec, Annie Laurie 8sec, Maxy Cobb 8sec, Lady Lynn 10sec, Prince 12sec also started.

Jimmy II was in front at the end of the first lap, and was never after headed, winning by fifteen lengths from Miss Small, the others pulling up. Doll was a bad third. Time, 3min 12sec. Dividend - £14 5s.

HARNESS TROT of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr H Mace's ch g Potatau, aged, scr (Harvey) 1.
Mr J Farrar's ch g Burwood, aged, 10sec (Owner) 2.
Mr J Kerr's b h Flora, 10sec (W Kerr) 3.

My Dream scr, Elsie Gay 5sec, Barry 15sec, Apology 15sec, Mignonette 15sec, Tom 19sec, Taradale 19sec also ran.

Potatau threaded his way through the field in grand style, and finally won easily by twelve lengths from Burwood. Flora, three lengths away, just beat My Dream. Time, 3min 1sec. Dividend - £9

HANDICAP PONY TROT (in saddle) of 15 sovs. Two miles.

Mr F Whitehead's b m Taradale, aged, 42sec (Owner) 1.
Mr B Edward's b g Chuznee, aged, 20sec (Owner) 2.
Mr W Horner's g g Shakespeare, aged, scr (Horner) 3.

Toby 35sec, Billy Button 40sec, Lily 40sec, Bobtail 42sec, Dorothy 48sec, Dora Thorn 48sec, Daybreak 52sec, Bobby Burns 52sec, May 52sec, Rosalie 55sec, Bantam 60sec.

Taradale came through her field, and won cleverly, though both Chuznee and Shakespeare trotted in grand style. Time, 6min 17sec. Dividend - £54 6s.

SPRING HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 55 sovs; 10 sovs for second.

Mr J M Reid's b m Mount Joy, aged, 24sec (S Price) 1.
Mr W Sutherland's b g Silver Prince, aged, 20sec (Grant) 2.
Mr J P Horner's b m Gipsy's Warning, aged, 24sec (Kerr) 3.

Magpie scr, Maori Girl 6sec, Dick 10sec, Butterfly 10sec, Maid of Roclea 12sec, Wanda 12sec, Flora Temple 16sec, Bourdi 23sec, Hurricane 23sec, Lady Agnes 30sec, Iolanthe 35sec, Robert Grey 36sec.

Iolanthe was soon displaced by Mount Joy, who went to the front, and was never headed. Silver Prince showed a lot of pace and ran second, though he broke frequently. Gipsy's Warning a fair third. Time, 5min 48sec. Dividend - £7 14s.

HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 25 sovs. Two miles.

Mr H Mace's c g Potatau, aged, 7sec behind scratch (Harvey) 1.
Mr J Farrah's b g Burwood, aged, 20sec behind (Owner) 2.
Mt T Walker's b m Elsie Gay, aged, 10 sec (Owner) 3.

My Dream scr, Zealandia 10sec, Fair Nell 13sec, Scamp 25sec, Lena 25sec, Dollie 25sec, Rambler II 25sec, Mignonette 30sec, Poppet 32sec, Boulanger 35sec.

Boulanger led for over once round, when Burwood, who commenced very well, gradually drew to the head of affairs, Fair Nell, Elsie Gay, My Dream and Potatau also making up their handicaps on the leaders. In the final round Burwood was closely pressed by Fair Nell and Elsie Gay was close in the wake of the latter, Potatau coming like a steam engine behind the trio. Rounding the first turn Elsie Gay on the outside tried to pass the leaders but failed, at the next turn she was level with Fair Nell, and at the final bend Burwood broke and she got her head in front and was a length or two to the good half way up the straight when Potatau came very fast and both Elsie Gay and Fair Nell broke simultaneously, but were speedily steadied again and thus let Burwood in once more, and a chain from the winning post the quartette were head and head. Potatau having most "way" on winning by a clear length, the judge deciding the triangular duel for second money in favour of Burwood. The excitement was keen. Time, 5min 51sec. Dividend - £5 7s.

HANDICAP PONY TROT (in harness) of 15 sovs. 14 hands 1 inch or under. Two miles.

Mr F Hill's b m Whisper, 17sec (Harvey) 1.
Mr J Dewey's blk g Sambo, aged, scr (Owner) 2.
Mr A McRae's b m Mountain Maid, 15ssec (Douglas) 3.

The Spy 10sec, Thislirum 12sec, Jessie 12sec, Dora Thorn 15sec, Meg 17sec also started.

Won all the way. Dividend - £1 13s 6d.

HANDICAP SADDLE TROT of 25 sovs; 5 sovs for second. One mile.

Mr J P Horner's b m Gipsy's Warning, 12sec (W Kerr) 1.
Mr E W Osborne's b m Iolanthe, 6yrs, 17sec (Owner) 2.
Mr W Horner's g g Shakespeare, aged, 3sec (Owner) 3.

Butterfly 5sec, Primrose II 8sec, Venus 8sec, Silver Prince 10sec, Miss Alice 12sec, Chuznee 14sec, Apology 15sec, Lady Agnes 15sec, Miss Small 15sec, Nellie 17sec, Apprentice 17sec, Robert Gray, Prince also started.

Gipsy's Warning caught Iolanthe in the final round, and won by several lengths, a good third. Time, 2min 58sec.

HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 30 sovs; 5 sovs for second. Three miles.

Mr J Buggey's b g Billy The Nut, 50sec (Munroe) 1.
Mr J Kerr's b m Flora, 35sec (W Kerr) 2.
Mr T Walker's b m Elsie Gay, 20sec (Owner) 3.

Potatau 10sec behind, Flora Temple 27sec, Burwood 35sec, Poppett also started.

Billy led all the way, winning after a good race by ten lengths from Flora; a fair third. Time, 9min 13sec. Dividend - £3 0s 6d.

Credit: The Press 3 Nov 1890

1890 LANCASTER PARK TROTTINHG CLUB: SPRING MEETING

Stewards - Messrs S P Andrews, Henry Mace, J S Williams, H J Derritt, W Tonks, D Barns, Thos Marr. Starter - Mr H J Derritt. Hon.Treasurer - Mr Henry Mace. Secretary - Mr A L Rattray.

Consequent upon the fine weather that prevailed on Saturday, there was a large attendance of the public at the Lancaster Park Trotting Club's meeting - the initial trotting gathering of the season.

The track was in splendid order, and the sport shown was of an interesting description, inasmuch as, although there were no very close finishes, some high class trotting was seen, and in the two chief contests in harness, records were established. It was quite evident some were "on strike" and maybe will be seen to better advantage on some other occasion.

Punctuality was not the order of the day, and it was getting late - a full hour after the appointed time - before the last race was started. Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin worked the totalisator, and during the afternoon passed through the machine the goodly sum of £1692.

In regard to the actual racing, the first event was chiefly remarkable from the fact that Kangaroo's chance of winning was so lightly esteemed that the horse started without having a single supporter on the machine, in which £127 had been invested. the backers of the other horses had therefore their money returned less the commission. Kangaroo, who is a grey gelding, by Diomedes, hailing from the Bays, trotted in good form, and might have bettered considerably the time made had he been pushed.

Of the seven starters for the Two Mile Harness Trot, the Ashburton horse, Robin Hood, was most fancied. None of the starters, however, had any show with the scratch horse, Kentucky, who had passed everything bar the favourite before the third lap had been completed. On the fifth round Kentucky passed Robin Hood and won pulling up, having compassed the two miles in some 15sec less than the previously excellent record. There was some cavilling at the start, it being alleged that Kentucky was under way when the order to go was given, but if any slight advantage was thus gained it could not have affected the result.

Sixteen went out for the Saddle Trot, two miles, the winner turning up in Butterfly, who paid her backers the very substantial dividend of £30 3s. In the Selling Harness Trot the uncertain Billy the Nut proved much too good for the ten opposed to him, and the second and last big dividend of the day was declared, Billy's supporters receiving £13 16s as a reward for their confidence in him. The horse, on being submitted for sale, was bought in by his owner at the upset price.

The form Kentucky displayed over two miles, notwithstanding that he had been penalised 15sec, pointed to him as the most likely to appropriate the longer distance event, but strange to say he was supported with no amount of spirit, Joe being made favourite. Kentucky's display was certainly most disappointing; he did not get away so well as the previous event, and when the horse did start he went in an erratic fashion. On the first round no part of the gap between him and the other constestants was made up, while in the second round Kentucky commenced to kick, went off the track, and ran the sulky against the fence. The driver was thrown out, but not hurt, and no very serious damage was done to the vehicle, the horse getting clear away from it at once. With nothing behind him Kentucky proved to those present that he could gallop as well as trot, for he went at a great pace round the track and out through the crowd to the back of the stand, where he was secured, luckily without having hurt himself in any way. While these little incidents were in progress Joe was steadily threading his way through the horses in front of him, and when half the distance had been completed had only Robin Hood to pass. He got in front of the Ashburtonite two laps before the finish, but had to be kept going to the end, passing the post about 20 yards in advance of Robin Hood. The time was returned as 8min 38sec, or some 4 seconds better than the best previous record for the distance.

The Selling Saddle Trot was a very soft thing for the Ashburton pony Maud, who, starting at the limit, increased the advantage every round and distanced all competitors. Robin Hood was not to be denied in the next event, and came in an easy winner. The Pony Trot was a runaway affair for Grace Darling, who on previous occasions has should her ability to go fast.

Particulars of the various events are appended:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (Saddle) of 20 sovs, One mile.

Mr J Hill's g g Kangaroo, aged, 8sec (Owner) 1.
Mr G Goodger's blk m Apology, 5yrs, 4sec (Mitchell) 2.
Mr P Dixon's b g Highfield, aged, Scr (Day) 3.

Poppet 2sec, Apprentice 4sec, Last Chance 4sec, Maid of Roclea 8sec, Arawa 10sec also started. Butterfly and Black Bess were scratched.

Won easily by 20 yards. Time, 3min 20sec. £127 investments on the machine, none were on the winner.

HANDICAP TROT (Harness) 30 sovs;5 sovs of stake to go to the second horse. Two miles.

Mr R Sutherland's b h Kentucky, 5yrs, scr (Farrar) 1.
Mr C Harold's b g Robin Hood, aged, 20sec (Owner) 2.
Mr E Clark's ch g Venus, aged, 10sec (Owner) 3.

Siberia 10sec, Scamp 12sec, La Grippe 25sec, Billy The Nut 25sec also started.

The scratch horse, who trotted in grand form, passed two the first round, two more the second, and by the time the third had been completed had only Robin Hood in front. On the fourth round Kentucky went to the front, and won easily, in the splendid time of 5min 38sec. Of 274 investments on the machine 55 were on the winner. Dividend - £4 9s 6d.

LANCASTER PARK HANDICAP TROT (Saddle) 40 sovs; 5 sovs of stake to go to second horse. Two miles.

Mr F Wright's b m Butterfly, aged, 45sec (Owner) 1.
Mr J Buggy's g m My Dream, aged, 40sec (Munro) 2.
Mr E Clark's ch g Venus, aged (Owner) 3.

Victor scr, Joe 23sec, Star of Honor, 28sec, Westleigh 30sec, Pankonche 33sec, Tatta 35sec, Miss Alice 38sec, The Demon 40sec, Gipsy's Warning 42sec, Highfield 45sec, Poppett 48sec, Maid of Roclea 52sec and Maid of Lusky 52sec also started.
Robert Grey and Black Bess were scratched.

Butterfly early in the race obtained such a strong lead that most of the other starters seeing that pursuit was useless pulled up, and Mr Wright's mare finished well in front of My Dream, Venus a bad third. Time, 5min 52sec. Only 10 of the 335 tickets on the machine were on the winner. Dividend - £30 3s.

HANDICAP SELLING TROT, winner to be sold for 15 sovs. Two miles.

Mr E Ralph's b g Billy The Nut, 23sec (Barrett) 1.
Mr A Gosling's b m Miss Axe, aged, 25sec (Owner) 2.
Mr G Adcock's br m Hippias, aged, 37sec 3.

Scamp 10sec, Barry 15sec, The Maid 20sec, Minto 23sec, Foveaux 28sec, Tom 30sec, Shuttle 33sec were the other starters.

Billy The Nut came in a winner by some 40yds, Miss Axe just defeating Hippias on the post for second place. Time, 6min 38sec. Of 138 tickets on the machine nine were on the winner. Dividend - £13 16s. Thewinner was bought in by the owner.

HANDICAP TROT (Harness) of 35 sovs; 5 sovs from stake to go to second horse. Three miles.

Mr G A Holmes' b g Joe, aged, 10sec (Hamil) 1.
Mr G Harold's Robin Hood, aged, 30sec (Owner) 2.
Mr H Paul's b m Siberia, aged, 15sec (Munro) 3.

Kentucky 15sec behind scr, Zealandia scr, Young Irvington 30sec, Maid o' Lusky 38sec, Billy The Nut 42sec also started.

After going one round, Kentucky became unmanageable, ran off the track, and getting rid of the sulky, out of which the driver was thrown, galloped out of the ground. Joe, the favourite, trotted in fine style, and, although urged the whole way, did not seek to break, and won a good race by twenty yards, his time for the three miles being 8min 38sec - a record. Totalisator dividend - £2 11s.

HANDICAP SELLING TROT (Saddle) of 15 sovs; winner to be sold for £15. Two miles.

Mr P W Price's b m Maud, aged, 23sec (Owner) 1.

Highfield scr, Johnny 7sec, Tinker 8sec, Willie Reilly 10sec, Minto 15sec, Kilbrony 15sec, Celina 15sec, Vivian 15sec, Bedford 15sec, Foveaux 20sec, Monopoly 20sec were the other starters. Toby was scratched.

Won with the greatest of ease. Monopoly and Highfield finiahed next to the winner, but were beaten out of a place. Time, 6min 4sec. Totalisator dividend £1 19s 6d. The winner was bought in.

HANDICAP TROT (Saddle) 30 sovs; 5 sovs of stake to go to second horse. One mile.

Mr C Harrold's b g Robin Hood, aged, 25sec (Owner) 1.
Mr J E Tomlinson's b m Pale Face, aged, 25sec (Hill) 2.
Mr J Roderique's blk h Victor, aged, scr (Owner) 3.

Kitty 10sec, Star of Honor 15 sec, The Demon 20sec, My Dream 30sec, Doll 20sec, Butterfly 21sec, Tommy II 25sec, Apology 25sec, Maid of Roclea 29sec also started. Kentucky, Miss Irwell, Robert Grey and Black Bess were scratched.

Robin Hood won easily by 40 yards. A good third. Time, 2.56. Totalisator dividend £1 13s 6d.

PONY TROT (Saddle) 15 sovs. Two miles.

Mr C Harold's g m Grace Darling, aged, 12sec (Owner) 1.
Mr P Whitehead's br m Thislixum, aged, 20sec (Owner) 2.
Mr J Dewey's blk g Sambo, aged, 20sec (Owner) 3.

Twilight 5sec, Bobby Burns 15sec, Daybreak 15sec, Romeo 15sec, Jessie 15sec, Curacoa 15sec, Toby 17sec, Jemmy II 17sec, Meg 22sec, Mountain Maid 25sec, Maori Maid 20 sec.

Won very easily. Time 6min 29sec. Totalisator dividend £1 13s

Credit: The Press 11 Aug 1890