NIGHT MEETINGS IN N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27075, 25 June 1953, Page 4

NIGHT MEETINGS IN N.Z.

WELLINGTON REMIT FOR CONFERENCE Among the remits to be discussed by the annual meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Conference at Auckland on July 8 is a proposal by the Wellington Trotting Club that “steps be taken lay the conference executive to institute night trotting in New Zealand at the earliest possible date.’’ It is doubtful whether this action by the Wellington club is necessary as the New Zealand Trotting Confer-

ence has, in the past, studied the possibility of establishing night trotting. Actually, the decision rests with individual clubs. The Wellington remit appears to be more in the form of a suggestion to the executive than another rule to be added to the Rules of Trotting. A suggestion that night trotting be established at Hutt Park was made some time ago at a meeting of the Wellington Trotting Club. The financial position of the Wellington club is such that it is finding it hard enough to keep going with day trotting, and until it is able to live up to metropolitan rating, it would be well advised to leave night trotting alone. This also applies to a number of other clubs advocating night trotting. There are two main points against night trotting in New Zealand —cost and the climate. The cost of lighting a four-furlong track in Australia was about £25,000 some years ago, and this figure would be greatly increased now. The installation costs of an emergency power plant are also very high. Probably the only suitable climate for night trotting would be in the Auckland district. During a year, Wellington would have very few suitable evenings with mild temperatures. In the South Island, there are very few evenings on which any form of outside entertainment can be watched in comfort. Size of Tracks

The size of most New Zealand tracks would be against night trotting. Spectators would not obtain a very good view on a well-lighted six-furlong track. In Australia, where night trotting is popular, there is only one track four furlongs in circumference. That is at Bunbury, in Western Australia. All the others are smaller, down to a little more than two furlongs in some places. There is no doubt that night trotting is spectacular on small tracks at night, but the general standard of racing is not as high as at daylight meetings in New Zealand.

Although the Wellington remit is unlikely to receive much support at the annual meeting of the conference, the way will be open for a full discussion on the subject. Veteran Trotter Sundarl gained a long-overdue win when he led throughout in the Wiatoa Handicap on the first day of the Waikato Trotting Club’s winter meeting. He is a rising nine-year-old gelding, and it was his first win. If he trots as solidly this week, he will again be hard to beat in the Newstead Handicap. Trained at Cambridge by B. Norris, he is by Quite Sure from Sunburst, the dam of a speedy pacer in Lady Joss, and a fair performer in Clouds Away. Waikato Acceptor

Included in the field for the’Karaplro Handicap on the second day of the Waikato Trotting Club’s winter meeting on Saturday is Ihi Ihi, which has not raced for almost six years. Ihi Ihi is a rising 20-year-old gelding by Rey de Oro from Princess Audubon, the dam also of Shining Link. Ihi Ihi was a winner at the pacing gait earlier in his career. After being off the scene for so long, it seems unlikely that it will be possible for him to regain form. Back in Work The veteran Dillon Hall gelding, Maori Home, is back in work at Addington. He did well during his short spell, and is in great order for another preparation. Maori Home showed that he was far from being a spent force when he beat Lady Rowan and Maida Dillon in the Dunedin Trotting Cup. Later in the season, ae won the Electric Free-for-all Stakes at Addington. Maori Home will probably be on hand for free-for-all events at Addington in August, and then he will make another attempt to win the New Zealand Cup, a race in which he finished fourth in the last two years. Good Record The Tasmanian pacer Floodlight, which failed to show up in his races at the Inter-Dominion Championship meeting at Perth earlier this year as a result of recurring soreness, has compiled an outstanding record since he started racing in South Australia towards the end of March. In nine starts, he has had eight wins and one placing for £4300 in stakes. At his most recent appearance, he easily beat Captain Sandy in the Coronation Free-for-all at Wayville. D. Cornish has done well to keep his horse fit for such a long time. Floodlight is a rising eight-year-old, and, if he maintains his recent form, he will have bright prospects at the Inter-Dominion championship meet* ing next year. This meeting will be his main mission. Trip to Addington The Pukekohe trainer, C. Hadfield, is contemplating a trip to Addington in August. Last November he brought Pleasant Smile, Peter Again, and Glen Star to the New Zealand Trotting Cup meeting, but none of his horses raced up to its best form. In August, he will probably bring Barbara Gaillard, Pleasant Smile, and Clifton Star with him. Barbara Gaillard, which has had three , wins and five placings from 11 starts this season, is a noted performer in bad ground. It is likely that she will have conditions to her liking on at least one

day in August. Pleasant Smile, a winner over a sprint distance at Auckland in May, has been having an easy time in recent weeks, and he is reported to have done well. He usually races well when fresh, and he may do beter on his next trip south. Clifton Star has shown useful form in recent months, and in 13 starts since being trained by Hadfield, she has had three wins and six placings. The Josedale Grattan mare has always shown more than average ability, but she has taken time to develop worth-while form. She can both sprint and stay, but has shown a preference for firm ground.