TRAINING ON SUNDAYS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28314, 27 June 1957, Page 4

TRAINING ON SUNDAYS

Use Of Riccarton Wanted

Trainers short of labour at Riccarton were finding that at times some of the horses in their stables were missing two days’

work a week, said Mr J. F. Tutton at the annual general meeting of members of the Canterbury Jockey Club yesterday.

Mr Tutton asked for the use of the course at Riccarton for two hours on Sundays. He said trainers short of labour who had to leave early on Saturdays with horses with engagements at meetings at Washdyke, Ashburton, and other places, could not work other members of their teams which were not racing.

Veterinary surgeons had recommended working horses seven days a week as the only cure for muscle tightness, a complaint quite common with modern foodstuffs for horses, said Mr Tutton. There were difficulties in working the horses around the roads these days when there was so much building going on in the Riccarton area. In some districts, the sides of the roads could not be used with safety.

Mr Tutton moved that it be a recommendation to the committee of the club that the course be open for two hours on Sundays. He was supported by Messrs H. O. Baker, C. L. Austin, and R. A. Young.

Mr Austin said the roads were building up at such a rate that trainers who, in the past, had ridden around the roads before going to the track, now went straight to the track.

Trotting clubs were providing training facilities on Sundays, said Mr Young.

“The committee will have a look at this matter,” said the chairman (Mr G. H. Grigg). “There are difficulties. The tracks have to be put right again after the training and men must be on duty while there are a lot of horses there. However, the committee will consider the matter, and will see what can be done. We aim to do what we can to help the trainers.”