“N.Z. Clubs Could Learn Much From Australia”

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28823, 18 February 1959, Page 4

“N.Z. Clubs Could Learn Much From Australia”

Trotting clubs in New Zealand could learn much from the conduct of trotting meetings in Australia, according to Mrs I. M. Dowdle, of Christchurch, who returned recently from Australia, where she attended meetings in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. z

Mrs Dowdle was not greatly impressed by night trotting as compared with day meetings in New Zealand, but she thought the general conduct of meetings in Australia and the facilities available to the public were far superior to those in this country. In Melbourne, in particular, the sulkies and 1 harness had shone much more brightly than in New Zealand, said Mrs Dowdle. New Zealand trainers could do much to clean up their gear. One feature of trotting tn Melbourne was the method of mounting and dismounting. The horses were led into the birdcage by stroppers wearing panama hats and white coats. The drivers marched out in pairs and took over the horses, while the stroppers marched to the side of the birdcage. When all the drivers had taken over their horses, the stroppers marched out of the birdcage. After a race, the stroppers took over the horses again and the drivers of the first four placed horses were weighed in. Then they stood on a platform, raised their caps to the crowd, and then joined the other drivers who waited nearby, all of them then marching to the drivers’ room. This was much better than in New Zealand where drivers and stroppers just wandered across the birdcage, said Mrs Dowdle. The mobile barrier had been used to start all seven races at one meeting in Melbourne and this innovation had proved most popular with the crowds. The starts had all been nearly perfect and there had been no false starts. The mobile barrier accelerated away from the horses in a few yards. There was every

chance that the mobile barrier ; would be used for ajl races in Melbourne in the future, said Mrs Dowdle.

Refreshment arrangements for the public were far superior in Melbourne. The publie was served by waitresses, and pots of tea were available, she said. It was much different from meetings in New Zealand where the tea was usually too strong or lukewarm, she added. The hospitality she had received while in Australia had been overwhelming, said Mrs Dowdle, and she could not praise club officials there highly enough.

New Brighton Brackets

Brackets for the New Brighton Trotting Club’s autumn meeting at Addington on Saturday are:— H. Gaskell Handicap: Sure Patrick and Lawsuit, Extra Light and Composite, Kaboon and Walrau Priincess. A. Butterfield Handicap: Great Direct and Black Satin. New Brighton Cup: Harlequin Parade and Highland Heath, Papatawa and Red Monarch. H. W. Aker Handicap: Crisette, Larnie Scott and Ebony Scott. J. Jarden Handicap: Queen’s Glow and Lady Shona, Papatawa and Red Monarch.

BRACKETS FOR AUCKLAND

(New Zealana Press Association! AUCKLAND, February 17. - Brackets for the second night of the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting on Saturday are:— Manurewa Handicap: Great Caution and Jovial Scot, Lord Leon and Storm Lord. Massey Memorial Challenge Stakes: Brief Encounter and Johnny Cabot, Euchre and Scrupulous. Richmond Handicap: Teremoana. Battle Cry and Madam Peterson, Celestial and Light Call.