RACING CLUB

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 272, 30 August 1935, Page 6

RACING CLUB

SPORT IN ASHBURTON COUNTY.

A REVIEW OF THE YEAR.

‘SOME ENCOURAGING FEATURES.’

The annual meeting of the Ashburton County Racing Club was held this afternoon, the chairman (Mi’ E. B. Newton) presiding over a good attendance.

The annual report stated tliat the club’s four one-day meetings were all held in fine weather. The Spring and Autumn meetings both resulted in a profit, but losses were incurred on the Summer and. Winteu meetings. The loss on the latter meeting was heavy, and seriqusly affected the year’s financial result. Excellent racing was provided, and, apart from the jumping events, the support from owners was very gratifying. The year’s operations resulted in a profit of £3O 10s, and the assets exceed the liabilities by the sum of £876 12s 9d, a fairly satisfactory position. The sum of £21360 was paid in stakes, and the Government received £2323 10s 9d. It will thus be seen that th* Government taxes nearly equalled the total stakes received by owners. During the year the club called for entries for its first classic race, the “John Grigg Stakes,” of £250 for two-year-olds, to be run next month, and the response was quite satisfactory. It was hoped that increased support would be forthcoming for this event when entries wer« called for the 1936 race. Several minor improvements to the appointments at the racecourse were made during the year, and the tracks and buildings were now in first-class condition’. The loss of one of its members, Mr W. R. Tucker, was suffered by the club during the year.

The financial statement disclosed a credit balance of £275 2s sd, compared with a debit of £1 13s 3d last year. Among the receipts the principal ones were:—Subscriptions £135 9s, nominations and acceptances £1037 10s, totalisator proceeds £2717 14s 6d, admission fees £399 13s 2d, race cards £203 2s 2d, royalties £l4O, rents £IBO, fixed deposits matured £2OO, Government rebate £250. The main items of expenditure were:—Stakes £2660, Government taxes £2323 10s 9d (less £1217 7s collected from owners and dividends), salaries and wages £457 Is' sd, printing, etc., £221 12s. Assets exceeded liabilities by £876 12s 9d.

“I have pleasure in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet,” said Mr Newton. “Members, I think, should be well satisfied with the success of the club’s four meetings, and both from sporting and l social aspects. Tax Relief Essential. “The attendance of the public- showed an increase on last year, and a slight increase in the totalisator figures was also recorded, the sum of £24,803 10s being handled, as against £23,675 10s. These signs are encouraging, and I hope this progress will be maintained, so that the stakes may be increased. The country clubs, however, cannot expand much in this direction while racing taxation remains at its present level. We are grateful to the Government for the half per cent, reduction of the totalisator tax for the year commencing April 1, 1935, but additional relief is essential if racing is again to become firmly established. “I must express my disappointment at the support accorded the jumping events on our programmes. Two hurdle races and a steeplechase were run, but in all, a total of only 13 horses faced the starter, and a substantial loss was incurred on each event. The support of ownei's, both racing and trotting, for all other events was splendid, and our thanks are due to them.

Entries for First Ciassio. Last February entries were called for our first classic race, the John Grigg Stakes, for two-year-olds. The response was fairly satisfactory, and indications are that a good field will face the starter next month. I hope that increased support will be forthcoming when entries are called for next year’s race, as the .restoration of classic racing is essential if the sport is to be maintained at a liigh level, and the breeder encouraged. “Turning to the financial side, it is pleasing to be able to record a profit of £3O 10s on the year’s operations, as against a loss of £320 last year - , lhe club actually made a loss of £73 16s ‘4d over its four race meetings, but revenue from other sources produced a surplus over the whole year’s operations. Our Winter meeting generally incurs a heavy loss, and I think that if an opportunity arises of securing another date, the committee should consider making a change. Track in Splendid Order. “The race track is in splendid order, the turf being in a better condition than for some years, as a result of a dry winter. Your committee lias decided to improve both the four furlong ajul five furlong starting positions, by moving the barriers to a different position to enable horses to obtain a bettei run before reaching the first turn. This will necessitate a leg being added to the course at the five furlong stait. “1 take this opportunity of congiratirlating our sister club, the Ashburton Trotting Club, on its success during the past year, and express our appreciation of the happy relations which exist between the two clubs.

“In conclusion, I wish to thank the club’s officials, who have carried out their respective duties so efficiently during the past year. Oud thanks are also due to the newspapers for thenfriendly assistance in all matters relating to the sport,” concluded Mr Newton.

Seconding the adoption of the report, Mr J. H. Grigg also deplored the lack of interest in jumping races. The committee had gone to some expense to include such events, and the public appreciated them. It was a pity the owners did not rally round better. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were declared elected:—Committee, Messrs H. F.

Nicoll, E. B. Newton, R. J. Mulligan, C. G. C. Harper, S. G. Holmes, R, Kennedy and E. Nicoll; stewards, Messrs H. F. Nicoll, E. B. Newton, R. J. Mulligan, C. G. C. Harper, S. G. Holmes, R. Kennedy, E. F. Nicoll, J. H. Grigg, H. Morris, H. B. Millcliamp, E. W. Roberts, Colonel J. Findlay, and Dr. G. I. Miller.

Mr J. W. Bowden was re-elected auditor.

Mr Nicoll and Mr Newton Re-elected. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr Newton was re-elected chairman.

The following officers were elected: — President, Mr H. F. Nicoll; vice-presi-dent, Mr E. B. Newton ; honorary treasurer, Mr Ri. Kennedy; programme committee, Messrs H. F. Nicoll, E. F. Nicoll, J. H. Grigg, H. Morris, S. G. Holmes, and E. B. Newton; grounds committee, Messrs H. Morris, E. F. Nicoll, E. B. Newton, R. J. Mulligan and H. B. Milliclramp; handicapper, Mr J. E. Henrys; judge, Mr A. Dickson; starter, Mr A. J. Hastings; clerk of course, Mr iP. L. Donald; clerk of scales, Mr A. O. Pilbrow; honorary timekeepers, Messrs F. B. Robilliard, R.. G. Shearman, and J. O. C. McLachlan ; honorary surgeons, Doctors N. E. H. Fulton, J. Connor, J. R. Wells, G. I. Miller, and W. R, Ryburn; honorary veterinary surgeons, Mr H. G. Martin and Colonel J. Stafford. -