STAKES RELIEF NOT ALLOWED

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32395, 7 September 1970, Page 4

STAKES RELIEF NOT ALLOWED

Racing clubs Intending to Include trotting events on their programmes will have to meet the requirements of the minimum stakes schedule adopted unanimously at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Conference held In Wellington In July. This was decided by the executive of the conference at a meeting held In Christchurch after consideration had been given te applications for relief by several West Coast racing elubs. The executive Is determined that all clubs, whether racing or trotting, observe the minimum stakes schedule. Some West Coast racing elubs argued that their area should be regerded as a "spacial” district by the executive so that they could pay

stakes below ths minimum: of *550 for maidan pacers. The executive no doubt felt that if racing clubs on the West Coast were allowed to pay stakes below the required standard, similar applications by trotting clubs would have to be approved and the minimum stakes schedule, considered to be one of the most Important steps made for years, would become worthless. The decision of the executive Is expected to result In ono or two West Const racing clubs deleting trotting events from their programmes and running six or seven-race galloping programmes. Others are determined to raise their stokes to *550 end retain the trotting events, which -are considered vital to their survival.