Jockey Lands Plane On Strip At Race Track

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30430, 2 May 1964, Page 6

Jockey Lands Plane On Strip At Race Track

(New Zealand Press Association)

HAMILTON, April 30.

The landing of a light aircraft in the centre of the Te Rapa race track today could herald a new era in racing in New Zealand in the opinion of the club president, Mr C. Pollock. “This is the thing of tomorrow and we will certainly do everything to further it. People could , come here from miles away—the possibilities are endless,” he said. The establishment of a landing strip on the course was a long cherished dream of the club, he said. The pilot of the aircraft,

owned by the Piako Aero. Club, was a Matamata jockey, P. Ryan, who described the landing field as “100 per cent.” He had flown to many race meetings in the North Island but the problem was always the distance from the airfield to the race track. “This will really boom when it gets going,” he said. The Civil Aviation Department is now to be asked to inspect the proposed airfield. Mr Pollock said he could envisage the time when not only race enthusiasts and jockeys would fly to the meeting, but the horses could also' arrive by air. |