TROTTING CONTROL

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25677, 14 December 1948, Page 7

TROTTING CONTROL

Sir,—lt is indeed interesting and pleasing to learn the views of Mr J. R. McKenzie concerning the control of trotting. I am directed by my committee to congratulate him upon hitf straightforward criticism. Some months ago our association issued a circular containing suggested improvements in trotting and the control thereof. Some were approved by the president of the Trotting Conference in his annual address. My committee can see no reason why efficient stipendiary stewards should not be available, provided one-third of the, number required is appointed by the conference, one-third by the Government, and the remaining third by the betting public, thus assuring absolute independence and freedom of action, essential to inspire the confidence of all interested. May I commend to the conference our system of “automatic elimination” by limited numbers of starts (unplaced), reducing fields.—Yours, etc., C. C. McLACHLAN. Secretary (pro tern.), Sports Patrons’ Association (Canterbury). December 13, 1948. Sir, —Mr J. R. McKenzie is to be commended for coming out in the open and exposing a system of control which, in my opinion, has not been giving justice to the public, owners, trainers, and drivers. Mr McKenzie states that the present control could only be carried out by wise and fearless men appointed to stipendiary positions. If too few men of that quality are available, the system should - revert to control by the officials of the club, which I am sure would have the support of the racing public in general. Yours, etc., ACTION. December 13, 1948.