RACES AT NIGHT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30264, 17 October 1963, Page 5

RACES AT NIGHT

Successful Trial The lighting at Addington Raceway proved as good as that on most other night trotting courses in New Zealand when it had its first test under race conditions last night A three-race programme for maiden horses was run by the combined Christchurch trotting clubs. Trainers and drivers all agreed that the lighting of the track was most satisfactory, and members of .the crowd of at least 5000 were most enthusiastic about the prospects of seeing top-class horses racing under lights. The first night totalizator meeting wiß be run on Wednesday, November 20. Spectators with experience of night trotting both in New Zealand and Australia felt that the lighting of the car parks and other areas around the course was superior to that seen elsewhere. Several possible improvements were suggested. Some trainers felt that improved lighting was necessary in the float park, and many expressed the view that a lighter-coloured surface on the track would improve viewing, especially when the track was watered. The three clubs are investigating the possibility of spreading a light-cofloured material on the track, but nothing suitable has so far been found. The results of trials by the Forbury Park Trotting Club are being awaited with interest. That club is considering spreading a whitish crushed gravel obtained from North Otego on iits track after its spring meeting ends on Saturday.