Away From Home

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31988, 15 May 1969, Page 4

Away From Home

The Amberley Racing Club might not, of its own violition, care to race anywhere but on its home ground. But its enforced switch to Rangiora for this year’s meeting, held last Saturday, produced results which showed the desirability of such a move. By racing at Rangiora the club attracted some horses which otherwise would not have been in the fields for the major races on the programme. The difference between racing on one of the best country courses in New Zealand and one of the worst was reflected last Saturday in the standard of performances, the quality of some of the finishes, and substantially increased turn-overs.

Racing is losing ground in districts where there is no lively appreciation of the need to gear the sport to modern demands and conditions.

Regrettable as it might be in some ways racing has passed from the status of a community sporting occasion to an industry giving employment to thousands. Part of the necessary

streamlining process is the reduction in the number of country courses, eliminating much wasteful duplication of buildings and amenities. The New Zealand Racing Conference has shown a proper appreciation of the position on the West Coast where continued racing on three courses, where one would do, is undesirable. Conference interest in Canterbury and an effort to effect a sensible measure of regionalisation might do nothing but benefit racing in the province and indeed racing generally. The success story of the Hororata Racing Club since its move to race at Riccarton is convincing enough. And trotting can tell of its own rewarding ventures in this field.