MANAWATU CLUB

Press, Volume C, Issue 29684, 30 November 1961, Page 4

MANAWATU CLUB

Night Racing Planned The Manawatu Trotting Club is continuing with its plans to start night trotting on its course in Palmerston North in the 1962-63 season. The club some time ago purchased 63 acres ot land about two miles from the middle of Palmerator North. A track, four and a half furlontp in circumference similar to that at Huttlhek. has been laid out, ariffu* running rail has almost been completed. ; , A ramp has been formed along the straight and a grandstand has been purchased from the old Ashhurst racecourse. The grandstand win be transportstf to the new course shortly. • Most of the work on the new course has been voluntary,- not only by members of the committee and Stewards of the Manawatu club, but by members pf the public. - Use of Course The Palmerston North Trotting Chib A non-totalisa-tor dub, will probably be the first to use the new course. It plans to run an equalisator meeting as soon as possible. The Manawatu club has for some years held two days of racing each season cm the Manawatu Racing Club’s course at Awapuni. There has been a growing opinion that the club, and others nearby, should follow the lead of other North Island clubs and change to night trotting. Although no definite decision has been made, it is understood that it is likely the Wanganui Trotting Club will centralise on the new Manawatu course, while the suggestion has also been made that the Otaki Trotting Club, which has for the last two years raced at Hutt Park, should also centralise on the Palmerston North track. Neither the Wanganui nor the Otaki dubs have been greatly successful in recent years when they have raced on galloping courses. A change to night racing at Palmerston North could greatly strengthen trotting in the Mana we tu district, and in the lower part of the North Island.