C.J.C. replies to attack by Oamaru president

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32430, 17 October 1970, Page 8

C.J.C. replies to attack by Oamaru president

The Canterbury Jockey Club yesterday reaffirmed its belief that two valuable two-year old autumn races at Riccarton the other at Oamaru, staged five weeks apart, would be complementary to one another and must ultimately benefit South Island racing. The acting chairman of the Canterbury Jockey Club (Mr D. W. J. Gould) was replying to criticism by the president of the Oamaru Jockey Club (Mr J. A. C. McKenzie) of the decision by the C.J.C. to introduce the Canterbury Challenge Stakes after Oamaru had closed the nominations for its inaugural event to be run in March. “Mr McKenzie continues with his abuse of the C.J.C. for putting on the Canter-

terbury Challenge Stakes, of $5OOO, to be run at the February meeting at Riccarton—five weeks before the Oamaru Produce Stakes,” Mr Gould commented yesterday. “As previously stated, the opinion of the committee of the C.J.C. is that the two races are complementary to one another. “Mr McKenzie is almost alone in his contrary opinion, as I. know from discussions with" experienced racing men owners, trainers and breeders alike —in both the North and South Islands,” Mr Gould said. "Surely Mr McKenzie must agree that the provision in the autumn of the $5OOO Challenge Stakes, the $4OOO Produce Stakes, and $3OOO C.J.C. Champagne Stakes must ultimately benefit South Island racing by en-

couraging the buying and breeding of better class yearlings. “Until now there has been a great lack of well-endowed races for two-year-olds in the autumn, and the provision by both the C.J.C. and the Oamaru J.C. of these semiclassic races should be welcomed by all those interested in racing,” said Mr Gould.