COURSE AT OMOTO

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

COURSE AT OMOTO

Improvements By Club ‘ ■ '' ■’ “fh* Freis” Special Service GREYMOUTH, Nov. 28. P«W of the Greymouth Jockey Club’s summer meeting at Omoto during the coming week-end will see several improvements since the last meeting in March. These have been carried out voluntarily by the president, Mr E. C, Berry, and members of the committee. On this occasion the club is experimenting with a later starting ffane on both Saturday and Monday. Previously the first race has been timed to start at noon, but for this meeting the time 1 has been put ; back to 1,30 p.m. The intervals between races will be reduced from 40 to 45 minutes to 35 minutes. Starting gates will be used for the first time and these will be of interest to club patrons. The main race each day in the past has been of one mile, but by shortening the distance by 80 yards 12 horses will be able to start instead of 10. The new barrier position will mean that the horses will have a direct run along the straight tor Just over two furlongs. In previous races the field has had to negotiate a bend shortly after the start. One of the main improvements which will be greatly appreciated is the formation of a new entrance from the Golf Links road. This will greatly relieve the congestion at the main entrance from Omoto road as motor traffic coming from Reefton, Ahaura, Totara Flat and other areas in the eastern part of the provirice will now be able to enter the course along the new roadway. No Rail Traffic , Another improvement, from the point of view of traffic congestion, is that there will be no rail traffic to and from the course from Greymouth. Previously this has been the cause of long delays. Buses will now run at regular intervals from Greymouth and will take passengers right into the course. The main grandstand, tearooms, the birdcage fence, the fences down both sides of the straight, and the majority of the loose-boxes, have been painted by members of the committee. They have also been responsible for the clearing away of about 40 acres of gorse scrub and this is ready for sowing in grass. As the club has been dependent upon the sale of wool and lambs from its property in lean years, the latest work will eventually mean a valuable financial gain. The course has been heavily topdressed and with a great sole of grass it is in splendid order. Large acceptances have been received and this is the first time for many years that the club has found it necessary to eliminate horses. The class of horse on this occasion is also better than has been seen at Omoto for some years, and there is every indication of excellent racing and a highly successful meeting.