TROTTING Night Trotting In Britain “Most Satisfactory”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30338, 14 January 1964, Page 5

TROTTING Night Trotting In Britain “Most Satisfactory”

. The first year of night trotting in Britain has been most satisfactory, according to Mr Noel Simpson, of Auckland, who was in Christchurch last week during a brief holiday and business trip. Mr Simpson, the managing director of the Night Trotting Company, and his co-directors, mainly New Zealanders, are confident that when the second season of night trotting begins at Prestatyn, North Wales, in April, the sport will continue to prosper.

The directors of the Night Trotting Company found that the venture at first was an uphill battle, Mr Simpson said. When the first season opened at Prestatyn attendances generally were small By the time the track closed for the season in mid-October —because of the onset of winter—attendances had increased considerably. The late opening of the track—racing did not begin until the end of July—probably accounted for the early lack of interest, Mr Simpson said. The best part of the summer had almost gone by the end of July. This year racing would begin during the spring. One of the main problems last year was the lack of locally-bred pacers and trotters of the required standard. That problem would be eliminated in the new season. British enthusiasts had imported large numbers of horses for racing at Prestatyn.

Many Newcomers Since Prestatyn closed for the winter a London ownertrainer, Mr C. Blisset, had bought four trotters from Germany. Three pacers had been imported from the United States by Mr A. Coles, of Stafford, and more than 20 other horses from Continental countries had new owners in Britain. Although small by New Zealand standards stakes at Prestatyn had caused a sensation among British trotting men. Whereas formerly they raced for stakes worth £5 and £lO, with an occasional three-figure prize, last season they were competing for purses worth anything from £lOO to £650. An added attraction on Prestatyn programmes this year would be the first running of a classic for two-year-old pacers—an event which previously was unheard of in Britain, Mr Simpson said. The stake for the race was expected to be worth at least £5OO.

Mr Simpson said that the decision to put on a two-year-old race was mainly an experiment, l.ut the response was surprising. When the call for nominations was made 36 entries were received. It was expected that the race would be held in f——■

June, with, probably, a few minor preliminary races. The formation of an owners’ and breeders’ association had been a big step forward. Seventy attended the first meeting, and Lord Langford, a Welsh peer and the only non-New Zealander on the directorate of the Night Trotting Company, was elected president. Requests To Expand If night trotting was to really prosper there must be expansion, and he felt that this would come eventually, Mr Simpson said. Approaches had already been made to the company to extend its operations to West Bromwich (Birmingham), Blackpool, Manchester, London and Scotland. But even to establish a track at West Bromwich or Manchester would cost up to £200,000, and ait present that was quite beyond the resources 'of the company.

The West Bromwich Town Council had even submitted plans for a night trotting track within the borough.

‘•They are really keen,” said Mr Simpson. “AH the same, I can’t see us starting there until at least 1965.”

When the company was established it was decided that only the best standards were good enough. Everything must be done properly. Strict licensing and control of trainers and drivers, a first-class track and amenities for the public and flying starts from behind a modern American starting gate had all been notable flrst-year achievements.