Mobile Starting Rules Unchanged

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32142, 11 November 1969, Page 4

Mobile Starting Rules Unchanged

Regulations passed in September restricting the use of the mobile barrier will stand until the end of the season, at which time they will again be reviewed.

This was announced yesterday by the president of the New Zealand Trotting Confer-

ence (Mr R. J. Rolfe, of Thames), after the executive had received a deputation from representatives Of a majority of North Island trotting clubs, who sought to have the restrictions lifted. The deputation was led by Mr I. McEwan (Tauranga), who was accompanied by Messrs. C. R. Elliott (Morrinsville), T. R. Thompson (Hamilton), and W. R. Robertson (Auckland). “The executive is satisfied that its original decision was the correct one in the circumstances because it was made in the interests of the sport as a whole," Mr Rolfe said. “The executive would like it known that it is not against mobile starting; on the contrary it is certain that there is a place in trotting for it. Racing in this manner can be most spectacular and particularly thrilling when fast times are recorded in mile races. "On the other hand, it must be borne in mind that In New Zealand we have a handicapping system which basically demands that horses must begin from a standing start. Moreover, we have not enough racing to provide ample opportunity for the horses that are being trained today. “Expert opinion considers that racing from th* mobile barrier is in many cases causing horses to become breakers and unsettled from standing starts, and this is noticeable in younger horses, particularly two-year-olds. It does not seem logical to begin racing horses from mobile starts and then expect them as older horses to begin correctly from the Standing position.

"The use of the mobile barrier has reduced the else of fields, and thereby opportunities to race. This lack of opportunity 1« becoming more critical every year as a result of the rapid growth of the breeding industry. “There is no doubt that we have far too many horses for far too few races. Until such time as the Government grants additional permits, particularly to the North Island, this position will not improve. It is not considered equitable to owners and trainers to deny them the opportunities to race their horses. Any sueh short-sighted policy can only stultify their interest in the sport.”