ALEXANDRA PARK

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29268, 28 July 1960, Page 5

ALEXANDRA PARK

Progress Witb Improvements

In spite of bad weather in the Auckland district in the last month or so good progress has been made with the alterations and improvements at Alexandra Park Raceway and it is hoped that most of the' work will be completed early next month. The last loads of shell for the reformed five furlong track were to be delivered and spread this week. Only light grading will be necessary then to bring the racing surface to standard. A sizeable section of the new type of railing to ring the inside of the track has already been set in place and all the light standards which had to be shifted have been moved to their hew positions.

A huge ramp in front of the main stand has yet to be sealed. Club officials estimate that the new ramp will accommodate 15,000 patrons. From it they will have an uninterrupted view of the racing. Several large mounds in the middle of the course have been levelled to give patrons a better view of the horses as they leave the back straight. The wet weather has considerably retarded the work on the parking areas running parallel with the back straight but it is not expected that it will prevent them from being in use for the first night meeting of the new season in September. A white board fence along the outside of the back straight is still to be erected. Payout windows in both the members’ and main public stands will be a feature of the improved totalisator facilities. There will be two in each stand. In all there will be 12 extra selling windows, eight for win and place and four for doubles betting. An equal number of pay-out windows is also provided. In spite of these additions betting facilities are still likely to be taxed to the limit. There is only about 15 minutes’ betting time for each race at night meetings and if the anticipated crowds of 30,000 on big nights eventuate there will be little chance of handling them comfortably. Dates For Nelson Club (New Zealand Press Association]) NELSON, July 27. The Nelson Trotting Club has confirmed that its summer race meeting will be held on Saturday, January 28, and Monday, January 30 next year. This decision was made after the consideration of the report of delegates to the annual conference. Two other South Island clubs, Forbury and Hororata, have also been granted fixtures on January 28. \ CANTERBURY TROTTING OWNERS’ AND BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION RACE TRIALS AT ADDINGTON THURSDAY. AUGUST 11. 1960 (Under the jurisdiction of the N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club) EVENTS 1— 3min 47sec TROT, one mile and five furlongs. 2 3mm 52sec PACE, one mile and five furlongs. 3 3min 42sec PACE, one mile and five furlongs. 4 QUALIFYING TEST RACE, one mile and a half. 5 FREE-FOR-ALL, 3min 34sec limit, one mile and five furlongs. 6 3min 39sec PACE, one mile and five furlongs. ENTRIES: Which must be in writing CLOSE at the Office of the undersigned on MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 1960, AT 5 P.M. Mi’TC H ELL and PRICE, Public Accountants, 166 Manchester st., Christchurch. P.O. Box 499. Telegraphic Address: "Trials.” —Adv*.