Trotting Club
The Katanning Trotting Club raced at the Katanning Showgrounds from 1930 until 1988, racing under lights on its 576m track from the 4 February, 1939. Katanning Jubilee Celebrations on Saturday 29 April 1939 hosted a jubilee dance in the Lyric Theatre and the Katanning Trotting Club’s meeting under electric light at the Katanning Show Grounds. Kalgoorlie was the first town with a trotting club – The Golden Mile Trotting Club formed in 1903 and hosted its final meeting on 15 December 2017., and thereafter racing at Kalgoorlie’s historic Golden Mile Trotting Club finished. The Western Australian Trotting Association started with a meeting at Bohemia Hall on 22 September 1910.
Prior to the installation of electric lighting around the Katanning trotting track, events were held in the afternoons. Several other trotting clubs had installed lighting and moved successfully to holding night events. The Katanning club decided to do the same and planning started in late 1938. After on;y three months the work had been completed and the club held its first meeting under lights in front of more than 1.200 people on 4th February 1939. Following are the local newspaper reports covering the project:
First Electric Light Trots
ELECTRIC LIGHT TROTTING:
First Meeting at Katanning
Great Southern Herald
28 January 1939 – P4
The first meeting under electric light to be held at Katanning will take place next Saturday, February 4, when stakes amounting to £110 have been provided for six events. Although the time for receiving nominations has not closed, already sufficient are to hand to guarantee large fields and keen competition in the various races.
The committee of the Katanning Electric Light Trotting Club announces that the installation of the equipment by Katanning Flour Mills Ltd. has been completed, while the new Cyclone fence enclosing the grounds has been erected by the Katanning Agricultural Society. Improvements have been made to the track, which has been graded and prepared for the meeting, and greater accommodation has been provided for patrons in the vicinity of the grandstand.
First Electric Light Trots
ELECTRIC LIGHT TROTTING
Rehearsal at Katanning
Great Southern Herald
4 February 1939 – P2
In order to try out the newly erected electrical equipment of the Katanning Electric Light Trotting Club at the Show Grounds, a full dress rehearsal was held on Thursday evening, when about 400 spectators gathered to witness the switching-on of the lights and generally to view the grounds under the new conditions.
A realistic touch was provided by the presence of a number of horses, whose owners gave them a preliminary ran on the track and then a spin in a trial mile, Mr. A. Radford acting as starter.
It is not too much to say the lights functioned perfectly and the track was in wonderful condition. Given reasonable weather this Saturday night, in view of the satisfactory nominations received, there is every prospect of a record attendance and a good night’s sport.
Advertisement from GSH 4 February 1939
ELECTRIC LIGHT TROTS
Gala Opening Night
Katanning Club’s Successful Innovation
Great Southern Herald
8 February 1939 – P3
Any doubts concerning the popularity of night compared with day trotting should be entirely removed after the successful opening of the Katanning electric light trotting course on Saturday evening, and the huge patronage accorded the meeting. With an estimated attendance of 1,200, made up of supporters from all parts of the lower Great Southern and a strong representation from the immediate district, the club received definite encouragement for the initiative displayed in electrifying the Katanning Show Ground and should continue its good work in the knowledge that the project is backed by public approval.
After a warm day on Saturday, patrons were in the right mood for an open-air outing. The lighting arrangements on the course – even in view of an excess of moonlight – were excellent, while plenty of room about the course emphasised the wisdom of choosing the Katanning Show Ground as a venue for the undertaking.
Tote and betting arrangements were efficiently carried out, while booth and supper facilities were available.
No less than 39 horses, representing some of the best on the Lower Great Southern, competed in the meeting, and although scratchings in the latter part of the programme were heavy, good racing resulted, with excellent finishes. Mr. Craig, from headquarters, took charge of the meeting as stipendiary steward.
BASILBURN’S LAST RACE.
The only untoward incident of the meeting occurred in the fourth event, when Basilburn fell on the south-east corner of the course and two other horses – Some Childe and Bubble Don – were involved in the “pile-up” which followed. Basilburn sustained a broken leg and, although hopes were entertained that he might be saved and retired for stud purposes, it was afterwards found necessary to destroy him. Such incidents as these always cause heart-pangs among horse lovers, and with Basilburn, a tall, upstanding black stallion, with wonderful pace and style, it was even more so, particularly as he had come through from the back mark and was well in the running when he went down. Sympathy will be felt for the owner, H. Webb, in the loss of such a fine horse.
OFFICIAL OPENING.
An interesting part of the programme occurred after the Katanning Handicap, when the official opening of the course was broadcast through loudspeakers. The president of the club, Mr. I. Synnott, said he welcomed all patrons to the inaugural meeting with a certain amount of pride, for the opening actually had taken place less than three months after the project was first launched. This, he considered, told its own tale of co-operation. Wonderful help and encouragement had been received from everybody and special thanks were due to those who carried out improvements in a voluntary manner, benefactors who took up £5 bonds, the Katanning Agricultural Society for its co-operation in preparing the ground, and Katanning Flour Mills Ltd. for electrifying the track so promptly and efficiently. It was only a matter of ten weeks since the contract was signed, and the job was finished in time for a preliminary last Thursday. He had pleasure in calling upon Mr. Edmund Piesse, president of the Katanning Agricultural Society and chairman of directors of Katanning Flour Mills Ltd., to declare the course open.
In these capacities Mr. Piesse had displayed an attitude of great helpfulness to the club, while his deep interest in the town and district, a tradition of his family, no doubt reacted in the club’s favour.
Mr. Piesse congratulated the club on the initiative it had displayed in electrifying the grounds and on the outstanding success of its opening meeting. He thanked the president for having extended him the honour of declaring the course open, and for his kind remarks. Anything which was for the good or for the advancement of the town and district, he (Mr. Piesse) was ready to support to his utmost. It gave him great pleasure to declare the Katanning Electric Light Trotting Club’s new electrified course open to the public.
Mr. W. A. Smiley, representing the W.A. Trotting Association [2], apologised for the absence of the president, Mr. Stratton, and congratulated the Katanning club on its forward move. “The lighting arrangements and course were excellent and would prove a great stimulus to trotting in the district,” he said. Mr. Smiley then announced that next year the Katanning club would be given the Country Derby, for which £150 prize money would be presented as a subsidy by the parent body.
Excellent work was done by the club’s honorary officials both on the ground and in the official arrangements, amongst those particularly noted being the clerk of the course, Mr. Charles Barber, the many stewards, Mr. A. Radford, the new secretary, Mr. Colin Fraser,) and his assistant (Mr. Pat. Hannah). Running descriptions of the races were broadcast through Mr. P. J. Miller’s electric loudspeaker arrangements, and also various official announcements.
At the conclusion of the Katanning Handicap – the main event of the evening – which was won by E. Menzies’ Thebes, the owner was presented with the James Cassady trophy by Mrs. Synnott, the ceremony taking place in front of the grandstand. As the mare was brought into place by the driver (Webb), a storm of applause greeted the trio – mare, driver and owner – and increased in volume as the very handsome silver trophy was presented by the president’s wife.
Fields in each event on the programme were good, the smallest number in any race being five in the Synnott Handicap, due to the confusion following the accident in the previous race, which brought Basilburn’s career to such an abrupt conclusion. The racing was particularly brilliant, every finish providing its own thrills. In the opinion of both Mr. W. A. Smiley and Mr. Craig, from the parent body, the racing was as good as might be seen at Gloucester Park and the driving was of high standard.
Results of the events were as under.
ENCOURAGE STAKES.
Of £15. Second horse £2, third horse £1 from stake. One mile. For horses owned and trained in country districts that had not won more than £10 in stakes.
RACHAEL – R. Jones’s rn.f., 3 yrs. (Dixie Silver-Miss Clifden), 70 yds. bhd. 1
GOLDEN KITE – F. Bean’s ch.m., 70 yds. bhd. 2
SOME HILDE – J. Gooch’s blk.m., 5 yrs. (Black Childe-Miss Ort), 100 yds. bhd. 3
Other starters: Vee Eight, scr.; Cereberus, Olive Fayette, 70 yds. bhd.
Betting: Evens the winner.
Dividends: S.O., 8/-; place, 5/-, 5/-, 12/-.
Time: 2.40. Rates: 2.33. 2.34, 2.31 1/2.
SOMAS HANDICAP.
Of £15. Second horse £2, third horse £1 from stake. One and a quarter miles. Scratch mark, 2.38.
TAREENA – J. Rowe’s rn.m., 4 yrs. (Taraire-Rowena), 65 yds. bhd. 1
FRED’S ECHO – F. W. Bean’s b.g., 3 yrs. (Dixie Echo-Marion Bells). 20 yds. bhd. 2
GOLDEN IDOL – C K. Campbell’s ch.m., 6 yrs. (Idolwood-Nigelotte), 35 yds. bhd. 3
Other starters: La Spar, La Rosette, scr.; Glen Botte, 5 yds. bhd.; John Breeze, 45 yds. bhd.; La Daly and Tasmania, 75 yds. bhd.; Master Fay, 240 yds. bhd.
Betting: 2 to 1 against the winner.
Dividends: S.O., 12/-; place, 6/-, 7/-, 10/-.
Time: 3.10. Rates: 2.27 1/4, 2.30 1/2, 2.30 3/4.
KATANNING HANDICAP.
Of £30 and trophy presented by Mr. Jas. Cassady. Second horse £3/10/-. third horse £1/10/- from stake. One mile and a half. 2.33 and better.
THEBES – E. Menzies’ b.m., 3 yrs. (Sheik-unknown), 60 yds. bhd. 1
GOLDEN VANITY – C. Turner’s b.m., 6 yrs. (Antique-unknown), 50 yds. bhd. 2
BELL CHILDE – L. W. Hall’s b.m., 5 yrs. (Black Childe-Mallee Bells), 20 yds. bhd. 3
Other starters: Admiral Donald, scr.; Princeally, 20 yds. bhd.; Lord Astor, 55 yds. bhd.; New Childe, 75 yds. bhd.; Amazing Direct, 135 yds. bhd.
Betting: 2 to 1 against the winner.
Dividends: S.O., 8/-; place, 5/-, 7/-, 8/-.
Time: 3.41. Rates: 2.24, 2.25, 2.26 1/4
HALL HANDICAP.
Of £15. Second horse £2, third horse £1 from stake. One and a quarter miles. Scratch mark, 2.45.
RACHAEL – R. Jones’s rn.f., 3 yrs. (Dixie Silver-Miss Clifden), 60 yds. bhd. 1
GOLDENETTE – F. Bean’s ch.m., 60 yds. bhd. 2
OLIVE FAYETTE – R. and J. Murdoch’s b.m., 3 yrs. (La Fayette-Olivette), 60 yds. bhd. 3
Other starters: La Rosette, 30 yds. bhd.; Bubble Don, 60 yds. bhd.; Glen Botte, 90 yds. bhd.; Some Childe, 105 yds. bhd.; Basilburn, 215 yds. bhd.
Betting: Evens the winner.
Dividends: S.O., 20/-; place, 8/-, 5/-, 17/-.
Time: 3.20. Rates: 2.31 1/2; 2.36 1/2, 2.39.
SYNNOTT HANDICAP.
Of £15. Second horse £2. third horse £1 from stake. One and a half miles. Scratch mark, 2.36.
LA MARION – F. E. Bean’s ch.m., aged (La Fayette-Marion Bells), 25 yds. bhd. 1
ADMIRAL DONALD – V. Kemp’s b.g., 6 yrs. (Alfred’s Double-Lady Admiral), 40 yds. bhd. 2
RAIREWYN – Tompkin Bros.’ br.g., aged (Taraire-Morwin), 185 yds. bhd. 3
Other starters: Golden Idol, 15 yds. bhd.; John Breeze, 25 yds. bhd.
Betting: 6 to 4 the winner.
Dividends: S.O., 14/-; place, 5/-, 12/-.
Time: 3.50. Rates: 2.3 3/4. 2.3 1/2. 2.3 1/2.
HAMBLY MILE.
Of £20 and trophy presented by Mr. A. W. Partridge. Second horse £2/10/- and third horse £1/10/- from stake. One mile. 2.32 and better.
PRINCEALLY – J. C. Antonio’s ch.g., aged (La Fayette-Nellie Daly), 5 yds. bhd. 1
BELL CH1LDE – L. W. Hall’s b.m., 5 yrs. (Black Childe-Mallee Bells), 5 yds. bhd. 2
LIGHT GLOBE – B. Becker’s b.h., aged (Globe Derby-Mademoiselle), 120 yds. bhd. 3
Other starters: Tasmania, 10 yds. bhd.; Arabella, 20 yds. bhd.: Globe’s Best, 120 yds. bhd.; Master Fay, 125 yds. bhd.
Betting: 4 to 1 the winner.
Dividends: S.O., 24/-; place, 8/-. 7/-, 10/-.
Time: 2.29. Rates: 2.28 1/21, 2.29, 2.19.
First Electric Light Trots
LIQUOR ON TROTTING GROUND:
Court Refuses Application.
Great Southern Herald
8 February 1939 – P3
An application by T. O’Connor, licensee of the Royal Exchange Hotel, Katanning, for an occasional licence for the Katanning Electric Light Trotting Club’s meeting on February 4 was refused by Mr. E. Y. Butler, S.M., in the Courthouse, Albany, last week.
Inspector F. Pike, officer-in-charge of the Narrogin police district, opposed the application on the grounds that the Licensing Act made no provision for the granting of such licence in the manner in which it was sought.
The applicant, who was represented by Mr. G. D. White, of Albany, first made an application for a temporary licence on the trotting grounds from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the night of February 4. To this the inspector made no objection and it was granted. The application for the occasional licence from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. was then made.
Inspector Pike, in support of his objection, said that the Licensing Act embodied no clause for the granting of such a licence. Section 4 stated that an occasional licence exempted the licensee from the provisions of the Act relating to closing of premises on any special occasion and during certain hours, and on such special occasion as was specified in the licence, “provided that no liquor shall, by virtue of an occasional licence be sold or consumed at any public bar on the licensed premises.”
The provision of a bar on the trotting grounds on the night of February 4 would be essential for the service of liquor if the application were granted and, to his mind, this would constitute, an infringement of the section quoted. The case was unique, as he had no personal knowledge of any such licence having been applied for or granted previously in this State. His objection was based on the fact that the Licensing Act did not make provision for such a licence.
Trotting Club