STARTING STALLS FOR RACES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25309, 8 October 1947, Page 6

STARTING STALLS FOR RACES

ADOPTION DEFINITE AT RICCARTON

PHOTO-FINISH OPERATING NEXT MONTH

Although it cannot be in operation at the Cup meeting, beginning on November 22, the starting-gate system will definitely be installed at Riccarton. The decision was made by the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club yesterday afternoon, after members had heard a report on Australian starting gates from the secretary (Mr F. T. H. Bell), who recently made an official visit to study racing in Australia. The starting stall system has been twice used in New Zealand—at trials at the Pakuranga Hunt Club’s meeting at Ellerslie on August 16 for two races, including the Jellicoe Handicap in - which a big field of handicappers started, and at a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. At the Auckland meeting, the stalls were about four feet high, and at the Hawke’s Bay meeting they were rails. Various proposals for starting stalls will be considered by the Canterbury Jockey Club’s committee at a special meeting to be held on November 3. The photo-finish will be in operation at Riccarton for the forthcoming Cup meeting. The 60-feet steel tower, built from material salvaged from the demolished water tower at Sydenham, was erected yesterday and the superstructure has to be added. The tower is on a line with the existing finishing line, being just forward of the old high box, yet not blocking the view of the finishing runs up the straight for the great majority of patrons in the Leger stand.