RACING DATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 204, 29 August 1934, Page 9

RACING DATES.

WAIKATO TROTS.

CLASH WITH AUCKLAND.

CRITICISM 3Y PRESIDENT,

"A good deal of criticism has been heard over the opposition by the Avondale Jockey Club when they raced on the same day as our last spring meeting," said Mr. H. Burch, president of the Waikato Trotting Club, at the annual meeting yesterday at Hamilton.

Mr. Burch explained that the club had no opposition for years when it raced on the second Saturday in October. However, last year it was noticed tluit the Avondale Jockey Club were altering their application from their usual dates, and were applying for the same date as the club, October 14, 1933. The club objected at the conference, and the Avondale Jockey Club were recommended to race on October 7 and 9, a week previous to the club. The Waikato Trotting Club's delegate, on his return from the conference, reported this fact, and the committee, feeling then sure of no opposition, went ahead with its arrangements, and issued an excellent programme, involving an expenditure of £1(20' in stakes for one clay, an ambitious undertaking, considering the state of the times. Some weeks after the conference had met, there appeared a notice in the official calendar that the Avondale Jockey Club had been granted October 7 and 9 for their meeting, in lieu of October 14 and 16, for which they had applied. It was not until after September 14 that the committee, through the official calendar, were aware that the Avondale Jockey Club intended to race on October 14 and. oppose the club.

A Similar Position, Unfortunately, a similar position had occurred this year, by the fact of the Auckland Racing Club having altered their application from their usual dates, applying to race on the same date as the club, October 13. The committee forwarded u letter to the Auckland Racing Club respectfully pointing out the position, Ivit received no satisfaction nor reasons for their action. An objection by the committee, through their delegate, against the Auckland Racing Club racing on the same clay, was made to the conference, an objection that the committee considered fair and reasonable. The club, however, had to stand aside to choose another date, the Auckland Racing Club having been successful in its application. Mr. H. F. Nicoll, president of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, has stated that his executive had put in a written protest and had met the racing executive on the matter, but nothing could be done. The Waikato Club's committee then asked the Minister of Internal Affairs to inter-' cede, but no result was achieved.

This position, in the interests of both branches of the sport, was to be regretted. and the committee could only assume th.it might was right in these matters. The committee also was of the opinion that whenever it was possible, clubs like the Auckland Racing Club and the Avondaie Jockey Club should set an example in susb j matter'!, to ensure the smooth working of I both branches of the sport.