RACING Commission Sought To Solve Racing Problems

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31769, 28 August 1968, Page 4

RACING Commission Sought To Solve Racing Problems

A prediction that in the near future the endeavours of the present body to have a Royal Commission into all aspects of racing set up would be success* ful was made by the president (Mr O. F. S. Martini) at the annual meeting of the Canterbury-Westland branch of the Owners, Trainers and Breeders’ Association on Monday evening.

Mr Martini said that an ordinary commission of inquiry would serve little purpose. Only before a Royal Commission, where any witness can be subpoenaed and gives evidence under oath, could the reforms so badly needed be obtained.

“Recent developments have further strengthened the federation’s campaign for a commission,” said Mr Martint

“We cannot expect support from racing club officials who are representatives of the New Zealand Racing Conference but many officials of the smaller clubs are beginning to see things our way.”

Mr Martini said that recently he had discussions with officials of several smaller South Island dubs. Many had expressed willingness to

support the suggestion of a commission because they felt there was no other way of solving their problems.

Betting Profits

Mr Martini said one of the principal reforms the federation would press would be the setting up of a racing advisory committee. This body would control all the profits from betting and decide on how, and where, they would be spent. “This method of handling the finances from betting should assure owners of a fair deal,” said Mr Martini. “Instead of a club deciding it would spend §lOO,OOO on a new stand for its members the advisory committee might decide that the money would be better spent by up-lifting stakes. “The federation has no desire to become involved in any club’s domestic affairs,” said Mr Martini. “If the committee wants to spend lavishly to entertain friends.

by all means let them do so. But this type of entertainment should only be paid for by the income from members’ subscriptions and receipts from the gate.” Judicial Panels Other matters the federation felt needed streamlining were the introduction of experienced judicial panels and improved coverage of racing by the broadcasting authorities. “Only too often the livelihood of a jockey or trainer can be prejudiced because of the decisions of inexpert-

enced men who sit on judicial committees once a year,” said Mr Martini. Mr Martini said it was natural that people preferred to bet on races which they could hear. “Canterbury listeners, depending on the strength of their receivers and the location, could usually tune in to race meetings as far south as Dunedin,” said Mr Martini. “But Dunedin people will tell you that the reception is not as good in reverse and as far as both areas are concerned it is impossible to hear racing at Blenheim, Nelson and the West Coast.”