UNIFORM SYSTEM OF HANDICAPS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30477, 26 June 1964, Page 5

UNIFORM SYSTEM OF HANDICAPS

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

MELBOURNE, June 25. A new system of uniform handicaps for Australia’s country trotting clubs met with almost unanimous support at the annual meeting of the Inter-Dominion Trotting Conference held here yesterday. The only state to refuse the new system was Victoria.

Handicapping is at present the most controversial issue in trotting and delegates from West Australia, New South Wales, South Australia. Queensland, Victoria and New Zealand discussed the proposals at great length after receiving the proposed new system from the Inter-Do-minion Handicappers’ Conference held .the previous day. Victorian delegates told the conference that the present system operating in their country districts, which included an “inner and outer circles,” plus the great financial returns from the success of .'the off-course totalisator were mainly responsible for their decision.

South Australia is the only other state to have an inner and outer circle. method of handicapping, and under the new system that would not operate. As from August 1 the slowest front in all states, except Victoria, will be for 2.28 class pacers, with a 12 yard penalty for each win.

New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, the only states to have races for trotters, already have a uniform scale of 2.37 for maiden performances.

Stake money of £21,200 has been allotted for the pacers’ division and £lO,lOO for the trotters championship for the 1965 New Zealand Inter-Do-minion Championships to be

run at Forbury Park, Dunedin, on February 20, 24 and 27 with the final, of £lO,OOO and a £2OO trophy, to be run over two miles on March 3. Subsidies for approved visiting horses will be, West Australia £325, New South Wales £3OO, South Australia £275, and Victoria £235. The 1966 championships will be held in Sydney and 1967 Perth. Cardigan Bay ? s U.S. Earnings (N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) NEW YORK, June 24. Last night’s win stake of 12,500 dollars brought the total earnings of the pacer Cardigan Bay to 92,500 dollars in the United States.