Reefton Course “Dangerous”

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31383, 31 May 1967, Page 5

Reefton Course “Dangerous”

Trainers who regularly race horses at Reefton, this week described the course as dangerous, and unfit to race on. Speaking at a committee meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Racing Trainers, Owners and Breeders’ Association, Mr S. W. Gillman, of Greymouth, said "not a meeting was held without a horse and rider falling.” He could not understand why the stipendiary steward at the last meeting did not declare the course unfit for racing. Mr Gillman said the course was dangerous at the turns into and out of the straight “Not a meeting goes by without a spill,” he said. In his view it was lowering the standard of racing. Riders were now so wary that they rode into the turns “with their brakes on.” Mr Gillman said the track should be closed until improvements had been made. If it was left as it was someone would get badly hurt. Mr J. L. Barr, of Riccar-

ton, agreed with Mr Gillman. He said that there was no doubt the track was extremely dangerous. At Mr Gillman’s request the association will approach the Greymouth District committee asking it to take up the matter.