Advisory Board Urged By Auckland Meeting

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29748, 15 February 1962, Page 5

Advisory Board Urged By Auckland Meeting

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 14. Members of racing and trotting organisations decided at a meeting in Auckland today to press for the establishment of a racing advisory' board as recommended by the Gaming Commission in 1946.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the (Waikato Owners’ and 'Trainers’ Association, the [Auckland Trotting Owners’, 'Trainers’ and Breeders’ Association, the North Island Trotting Trainers’ and Drivers’ Association, and the New' Zealand Turf Investors’ Association. Others present included an Auckland pathologist. Dr. J. J. Sullivan. The decision was made after a lengthy discussion on all aspects of racing and trotting with emphasis on swabbing. Mr S. Taylor, of the Wai[kato association, said his [association had received (messages of support from two owners’ and breeders’ associations in the South Island i after tlhe announcement that it intended to petition the Government for a Royal commission on racing. “One man telephoned me in Hamilton, saying he could guarantee 300 signatures to the petition,” said Mr Taylor. Swabbing System “Our main concern is the administration of the swabbing system and doping inquiries but there are other aspects in need of some attention. Among them are uniformity in the starting of races, mid-week racing or extra permits, stakes and nomination and acceptance fees.” He said his association viewed with grave concern the swabbing system and considered that:

(1) Every winner of a race should be swabbed. (2) All samples taken should be divided into three sealed portions to be held by the owner or trainer conIcerned, the New Zealand [Racing Conference and the racing club.

(3) Access to runners at

the course should be denied to all unauthorised persons. (4) After a hearing, the charge and at least a precis of the evidence given before the district committee and which enabled the district committee to reach a decision should be given to the press in every case. Legal Aid Mr N. Simpson urged that representations should be made to enable persons charged with doping offences in trotting to have legal aid at the inquiry. “At present,” said Mr Simpson, “a person can have the benefit of legal assistance only if the case goes to appeal. The system in ting whereby the stipendiary stewards lay the charge and act as prosecutors, judge and jury, is unfair. Trainers and owners are seldom experienced in judicial matters ahd they are at a great disadvantage without legal aid.” Mr Simpson received the unanimous support of the meeting when he recommended that for swabbing cases the authorities should appoint a panel whose members had both a knowledge of horses and judicial training. They should also be acquainted with the effects of drugs so as to be able to give a more considered decision, he said. Several speakers felt that the clubs should provide more protection on the course for owners and trainers with horses engaged at a meeting. Horses "Got At” “It is a simple matter for horses to be 'got at’ on most New Zealand racecourses,” said Mr S. Delamore. “Anyone can wander round the stables-and it is almost impossible for the trainer or attendant to be with a horse all the time.”

Dr, Sullivan said a recent case of a horse losing a race because it had been injected with the vitamin Bl had caused surprise among many medical men.

"The use of depressants or stimulants is to be rightly deplored,” said Dr. Sullivan, “but in the interests of horses being turned out in the best condition vitamins should be allowed." Dr. Sullivan said it was commendable that a trainer or owner should supplement a vitamin Bl deficient diet if necessary with Bl for the same reason that a doctor supplemented the diet of an alcoholic with vitamin Bl when he became deficient in that constituent. “The same applies to vitamin B 12.” said Dr. Sullivan. “To withhold this from a horse suffering from pernicious anaemia would constitute culpable neglect in the preparation of a horse. Effects of Vitamins

“It can be categorically stated that there is no universally held medical opinion to support the view that these vitamins could possibly affect the courage, speed or stamina of a nutritionally balanced animal.” Because of the lack of understanding as to what constituted a drug, he said, there was a grave danger of owners and trainers being unjustly victimised in the preparation of a horse.

"Horses are, to a large extent, artificially fed and, consequently, their nutritional deficiencies are greater,” he said.

Mr Simpson said the Gaming Commission of 1946 recommended a racing advisory board consisting of a representative of the New Zealand Racing Conference, a representative of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, one member of the public and an independent chairman appointed by the Government.

He said that the people who provided the sport, the owners, trainers, breeders and others, should have some voice in its control.

On the motion of Mr Simpson, it was decided to seek a racing advisory board which included representatives of owners, trainers, breeders and horsemen’s associations.