TROTTING IN PERTH

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26985, 10 March 1953, Page 5

TROTTING IN PERTH

TROTTING

LIGHTS GIVE FALSE IMPRESSION

HIGHER STANDARD IN NEW ZEALAND New Zealand has little to learn from the administration of trotting and control of meetings in Perth. In most respects trotting there is a long way below the standard throughout New Zealand. The Western Australian Trotting Association, headed by its president since 1930 (Mr J. P. Stratton), has the widest powers and as well as controlling the sport throughout the State in a similar manner to the New Zealand TrottinfeiConference, controls all meetings held at Gloucester Park. All meetings at Perth and Fremantle are held under lights, which flatter the appearance of horses. The lights give meetings ah atmosphere which could be likened to that of a circus and the racing was, with the exception

of the Grand Final of the Inter-Domin-ion Championship, not as spectacular as that seen on most courses in New Zealand. v The track at Gloucester Park, which is 88 yards under half a mile, was equally as fast as Addington, if not faster. It provided a perfect racing surface and is well banked at the turns. One feature was the lack of

noise when a field raced by. At times in New Zealand horses sound as though they are racing on concrete, but in Perth there was a fine cushion of oyster shell, which deadened any sound from hoofs. , Facilities at Gloucester Park are not comparable with those at Addington or Harold Park, Sydney, largely because of - building restrictions. There is only one small stand and facilities for reporters to view races are worse than those at even minor country meetings in New Zealand. Totalisator facilities,-which were not widely patronised, were good, selling and payout windows having been erected all round the ground. ‘ • Trotting in Perth centres bn bookmakers, whose final odds were generally one or two points below those offering on the totalisator. The association is gradually reducing the number of bookmakers. Members showed great interest in the New Zealand offcourse betting scheme, saying that it was hoped to establish a similar scheme there in the next few years. Information for Newspapers Much more information about incidents in races arid inquiries is released to the press in Perth than in New Zealand. At the end of each night’s racing the stipendiary stewards give a full account of each incident and also a full account of every inquiry. The newspapers are allowed to attend every inquiry and are allowed to publish all. evidence taken. This privilege was granted about 20 years ago, but this lead has not been followed by any of the other States or New Zealand. However, when the New Zealand Trotting Association was functioning the evidence from all inquiries was available to the press some time after they ,-had been held. The stipendiary stewards at Perth were most severe on minor breaches of rules, such as drivers looking round or crossing too quickly in races. Inconsistent running, however, did not seem to meet with official disapproval. In several instances in minor races during the championship series horses would begin well and drift right out of their races. The following night they were just as likely to lead from end to end and win with something in hand. Some of these instances were most noticeable. One horse started at double-figurq odds and failed to show up in two races, and later at the meeting he started at shcrt odds. But for bad luck in the running he would have won. However, he ran a great race and many people on the course were pleased to see him beaten into second place. Misbehaviour at the start of races is not tolerated in Perth. If a horse breaks badly on two consecutive nights the stipendiary stewards order it back to trials. These trials are held every Monday night and horses have to perform correctly at these before being allowed to start again in a race.. Something along these lines could be developed in New Zealand, where at times too much tolerance is shown towards unruly horses. Horses likely to cause trouble at the Start of races in Perth are placed in outside barrier positions before the draw is made for other horses on the same mark. Mr Stratton’s Influence Mi- Stratton has a tremendous influence and interest in trotting in Western Australia. Followers of trotting in the State are divided into two camps—those who agree with Mr Stratton and those who • oppose him. Even those who oppose him are high in praise of his organising ability. x J * x. As well as owning a large stud establishment, Mr Stratton owns a large proportion of the horses racing in the State. None of these appear in the race cards in his own name, but are leased to trainers at 50 per cent. In New Zealand few horses are leased at more than 25 per cent. A lease of 50 per cent, would have to be registered as a half-share in New Zealand. . . Practically every trainer in the State has at least one horse leased from Mr Stratton. m . In 19'46 a Royal Commissioner on Trotting (Mr Charles McLean) inquired into ■’ the control of the sport in Western Australia. In his report Mr McLean stated: “I have felt called upon to direct attention, in various aspects, to the method in which Mr Stratton has over many years exercised the control which fell into his hands under the guarantor system. I have referred to *his’ control because the evidence I have heard and my perusal of the minutes over many years, leads me to the irresistible conclusion that the other guarantor members of the committee, whether by the force of his personality, or perhaps their belief in his judgment were at all times content to follow his lead.” Mr McLean went on to say that there was no doubt that Mr Stratton had placed the sport on a Sound financial basis, bul what had started out as a hobby hac “eventually become most profitable,” tc him personally. “In addition, no doubt, he appreciated the power and prestige his privilegec position had given him, and he did. ai

my findings disclose, all in his power sometimes by devious methods, to entrench himself in that position. He exercised that power, in many instances, in arbitrary fashion, and sometimes for his own ends.” Commissioner’s Recommendations The commissioner made a number of recommendations, including the abolition of payments to the president and members of the committee of the association except genuine out-of-pocket expenses, all payments to be shown in the annual profit and loss account. According to close followers of the sport in Perth, very few minor recommendations of the commissioner were carried out, some claiming that the only one of any consequence was the changing of the name of the association from the West to the Western Australian Trotting Association. After the inquiry the association was constituted and incorporated by Act of Parliament. While in Perth the writer purchased a copy of the Rules of the Western Australian Trotting Association. These were adopted in 1922 and the latest amendments in the book .were passed in 1929. When questioned about subsequent amendments the chairman of stewards and handicapper (Mr R. Gallop) said that there were a. few, but they were “not of much importance. I have them m by book and that is all that matters.” In New Zealand all amendments to rules have to be published in the “New Zealand Trotting Calendar.” Mr Gallop also told “The Press” that information regarding registrations and leases would not be made available by the association. It was later found out that these were all registered with- the Supreme Court and could be obtained i from there.