TROTTING New Attempt To Improve Trotters’ Races Likely

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31771, 30 August 1968, Page 5

TROTTING New Attempt To Improve Trotters’ Races Likely

The question of some form of qualifying trials for maiden trotters is expected tq be discussed at the meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Trotting Conference in Christchurch next Friday.

The poor standard in most races for maiden trotters was raised at the annual meeting of + he conference in Christchurch last month by Mr M. C. Owen, of Wanganui, who said toat something should be done to effect improvement.

Mr Owen had strong support from two members of the executive, Messrs G. C. Cruickshank, of Invercargill, and H. J. Hewson, of Kaikoura. both of whom have bred and raced trotters, particularly Mr Hewson, who has been a staunch suppoiter of trotters' races for many years. Speakers at the conference meeting did not think it necessary to apply any time qualification on a basis similar to that used for pacers, but it was suggested that perhaps trotters should perform creditably at trials before starting at totalisator meetings.

Another suggestion was that horses should trot reasonably in company with other horses, before stipendiary stewards. These trials, it was suggested, could be held on trainers’ private tracks.

Mr L. G. Rieger, of Palmerston North, now a member of the executive, said he felt the stipendiary stewards could improve the standard without any qualifying tests. He was referring to the fact that stewards can stand horses down from racing after unsatisfactory performances. It was agreed that the executive should do something to effect improvement in the standard of racing in maiden events for trotters. Members of the executive who attended the Kurow Trotting Club’s meeting at Oamaru

on August 10 must have been well aware that something must be done after they had seen the Hakataramea Handicap. . In this race six horses were a furlong or more behind the leaders with six furlongs left to run. When the winner, Conclusion, reached the wining post five horses were two furlongs or more behind her. The horses concerned were Bold Gem, King’s Guard, Hoana, Kingsway Star and Dan Mack, all of which had

been a furlong or more from the leaders with six furlongs to run. Also in that category was Mongaso, which just got inside the two-furlong mark behind the winner at the end of the race.

The six horses named carried $726 in a pool of $6557, their supporters at no stage of the race having the slightest chance of receiving a dividend. Two of the horses mentioned, King’s Guard, which started from 72 yards, and Hoana, which started from 60 yards, have had plenty of opportunities. King’s Guard is a 10-year-old and Hoana is three vears older. As far as is known there was no official action taken against any of the horses which performed so dismally. The standard of the Kurow race was pathetically low and much worse than is often encountered in similar races. However, too often are fields sadly spread out from the start, with the public forming a very poor opinion of the standard of racing at trotting meetings. 'lt should not be difficult to improve the standard in maiden trotters’ races in Canterbury where there are plenty of horses and an adequate supply of official trials. However, in other districts there could be difficulties', but none which could not be overcome. A lead in the question of raising the standard of maiden trotters’ races Is long overdue. The executive is expected to take firm action, which could have a beneficial effect before the end of the current season.

Barrltr Available.— The mobile barrier will be available at Addington Raceway, between 9.30 and 11 a m. on Tuesday and Thursday next week, for horses with engagements at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s spring meeting.