SUCCESSFUL SEASON

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 189, 12 August 1935, Page 8

SUCCESSFUL SEASON

AUCKLAND R.C.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

BRIGHTER PROSPECTS,

"I desire to express the pleasure of the committee in being able once more to record a successful result from the year's working," said the president, Mr. O. Nicholson, at the annual meeting of the Auckland Racing Club this afternoon. "Although the profits from the race meetings were not so large as for the previous year, partly due to increased prize money, the club was unfortunate in having to encounter adverse weather conditions at each meeting which greatly militated against the totalisator returns and receipts for admission. These, however, showed a satisfactory increase 011 the fine days, and undoubtedly indicate brighter prospects of success for the coining season."

Continuing, Mr. Nicholson said that the prize money was £11,605 more than the club was called on to contribute under the rules of racing, and there had been no occasion to change the views of the committee as to the wisdom of adhering to the policy of giving as large an amount in prize money as the club's financial position from time to time warranted. The club had well maintained its position during the past twelve months—the credit balance at the bank showing an increase, while the liabilities were a little less than formerly. The committee had continued to exercise due caution in the management of the club's affairs, at the same time offering every inducement to owners to continue their interest in the sport by affording them the opportunity of enjoying not only • excellent training facilities and other racecourse appointments, but also large prize money. It was interesting to note that as regards training facilities an average of 70 horses per month were trained upon the Ellerslie tracks. The gross profit for the year was £1597 1/11, from which £200 was taken to provide against possible bad debts, and in ocntinuance of the policy explained to members at the last annual meeting, £1000 was written off in reduction of the Takanini training tracks account.

Change of Dates. Xo large works were undertaken during the year, as the present facilities and accommodation were considered quit.2 sufficient to meet demands under existing conditions. All buildings and tracks had been maintained in fustclass order, aiid it might fairly be stated that the training facilities for all seasons of the year are equalled elsewhere in the Dominion. That the public still appreciated the Ellerslie gatherings was shown by their continued patronage on race days, and it was only very inclement weather conditions that caused a shrinkage in the attendances. The change last year to October dates for the spring meeting proved beneficial, and was the cause of considerable satisfaction in racing circles throughout the

Dominion. A further measure of relief that has been continually asked for and refused and which would very materially assist in improving racing throughout the Dominion would be a reduction in railway charges for the carriage of horses to "race meetings. This was now a most expensive item for owners and one which could certainly be eased by the railway authorities, as there is no doubt that under a lighter scale of charges more horses would be sent to the various meetings. The Railways Board could accordingly reap considerable benefit through greater numbers of racing patrons being induced to travel with the chance of enjoying more interesting sport than can be at present provided" with the usually small number of horses competing at many meetings. The Consolidated Fund would also be augmented by the taxation to be derived from the consequential increased totalisator returns and amusement tax on admissions.

Trek to Australia. It was still to be regretted that many of New Zealand's good horses were constantly leaving the Dominion to race in Australia, where all authorities placed every facility at the disposal of owners and'trainers at cheap rates to induce them to race at the various meetings, large and small. Many of these horses were of the best class, leaving New Zealanders to be content to see moderates contesting their best races. This country was breeding each year horses of the best quality to be found south of the line, and while the Australian demand for these horses might be taken as a great compliment to New Zealand as a breeding ground, it unfortunately left the Dominion short of that class horse which they were accustomed to see in action at their main centres in former years. Unfortunately ! this was not a passing phase, but one that would continue until the racing authorities experimented and found a satisfactory solution to counter the exodus.

Mr. Nicholson mentioned the diminution in the number of horses available in the winter for jumping events. This was having a serious effect on racing, and might easily be remedied by the rules of racing being amended so as to make it again necessary for every programme to include a hurdle race or steeplechase. Such a rule would give owners an inducement to try their more moderate class of horse over obstacles, and also give additional opportunities for the heavier jockeys to continue their profession after their weight precluded them getting mounts in flat races.