TROTTING Brisbane stakes cause concern

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32567, 29 March 1971, Page 10

TROTTING Brisbane stakes cause concern

Difficulty might be experienced In attracting worthwhile New Zealand representation at the 1971 Inter-Dominion Championship series In Brisbane If stakes are not maintained at a reasonable level.

This opinion was expressed by the president of the New Zealand Trotting Conference (Mr R. J. Rolfe, of. Thames) in Christchurch on Saturday when asked to comment on the fact that stakes of only $2500 were proposed for qualifying heats and $30,000 for the Grand Final in Brisbane.

His organisation had not had time to discuss the proposed level of stakes in Brisbane, he said, but Would do so shortly and, if necessary, make representations to the Inter-Dominion Trotting Conference at its annual meeting in Melbourne in June. "It’s unlikely the Brisbane programme will be passed before then. If the executive decides it is not in the interests of New

Zealand to accept the proposed stakes, we will make our views well known.

“It is undesirable that the status of the championship be undermined, and New Zealand will do everything possible to maintain this at the highest level,” said Mr Rolfe. He had heard it said that there was agreement between trotting and racing in Brisbane that the stake for the Grand Final would not exceed $30,000, but that was not official, said Mr Rolfe, who agreed that if the Brisbane club was embarrassed financially in keeping stakes up to proper levels, it should allow another state to run the 1972 series and build up reserves so that fitting stakes could be paid. The Grand Final at last month’s series at Adington Raceway was $40,000, plus a cup valued at $6OO, the stakes for the heats were $3OOO and $4OOO was attached to the consolation races in the pacing section.