TROTTING REEFTON REMIT SHOULD AROUSE KEEN INTEREST

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28936, 2 July 1959, Page 4

TROTTING REEFTON REMIT SHOULD AROUSE KEEN INTEREST

A remit expected to arouse most interest at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Conference In Christchurch next Wednesday will be brought forward by the Reefton Trotting Club The remit proposes adding a new sub-section to Rule 370 saying that “When a case of administration of a drag to a horse or aiiy other form of malpractice, as defined tn

Rule 345 (s), is held, and is later taken to appeal, the

hearing of such appeal should be open to the public.”

On numerous occasions there have been criticisms of the findings of appeal judges, maimy on the grounds of their brevity Seldom have any details of the appellants’ cases been released; nor have the reasons tor any alteration in penalties by the judges always been given.

In some Australian States both inquiries and appeals are heard in public; in the United States every licence holder is entitled to attend appeals. -Until the New Zealand Trotting Association was disbanded about 10 years ago newspaper representatives attended its meetings, but since the New Zealand Trotting Conference has been the sqle controlling body newspaper representation at meetings of the executive has diminished until now the only news of proceel ings is a brief outline of some of the decisions reached.

Owners’ and trainers’ organisations have for many years been in favour of holding inquiries and appeals in public, but none of tLeir suggestions along these lines have found favour. The Reefton remit should result in some highly interesting discussion, but whether there will be sufficient support to ensure it the required two-third majority to carry it remains to be seen. ’ Machinery Clauses Eight of the other 12 remits will be sponsored by the executive and the majority of them will tidy up rules at present, in operation. Three oi the executive’s remits will strengthen the rules covering the use of drugs, stimulants and depressants on race days. All three appear to be rhost desirable and they are unlikely to arouse much discussion.

The Waikato club will attempt to get round the rule which limit*

the age of reinsmen to 65 years. This has been before the annual meeting on other occasions and has not found favour The Waikato club suggests that where a medical certificate of fitness is provided by two doctors appointed by the executive and this is from time to time endorsed by cue doctor the age limit will not apply

One remit from the executive making it mandatory for maiden pacers to be qualified at the time of nomination should find favour with country clubs, secretaries of which luve at times experienced difficulties with the present rules v.hich requires horses to be qualified at the time of withdrawal The executive will also seek to reinstate rtule 114, which was rescinded in 1955 This rule concerns the registration of horses Before the 1955 annual meeting club secretaries, or their authorised agents, had to issue a certificate saying that they had inspected every horse before registration.

Apparently the conference has found that without Rule 114 in operation difficulties have been encountered with the registration of horses.

The Marlborough and Waimate clubs will both sponsor remits seeking the right of re-entry where horses are balloted out This subject has been before the conference several times in recent years and last year it was fully investigated by the executive, which did not approve the idea