RACING Situation of some S.I. clubs causing concern

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32663, 20 July 1971, Page 8

RACING Situation of some S.I. clubs causing concern

The concern shown by racing administrators for the future of some racing clubs in the South Island is shared by the chief stipendiary steward (Mr P. J.'Reid).

Some of the so-called small clubs in the north were, now in a position where they could outcompete many clubs, even those of much higher status, in other parts of the country, particularly farther south, Mr Reid said in his annual report to the Racing Conference. The situation of concern as it related to a few of the clubs in the south remained as real as ever and the thought must surely be: where does the solution lie?, Mr Reid said. The racing scene this year had been dominated by what; could probably be described as the biggest betting spree ! in history, he said. Such; betting first became apparent several weeks before' Christmas and had continued! since to a varying extent and! at a fluctuating level accord-: ing to which part of the: country it applied. Mr Reid: said there were few signs ofj any real abatement in the' volume of betting. He thought the impact of; the present betting splurge! had only emphasised more than ever the strength pattern of New Zealand racing where; so-called smaller clubs in the north were thriving more, than many clubs in the south.! "Growing concern”

There had been a significant ! increase in the number of: special feature-type races! and, within the financial:

capabilities of the clubs con-1 cemed, a general lift ini stakes, Mr Reid reported. Such activity was the pre-; rogative of the more affluent; clubs and had occurred therefore to a greater extent in the north. “This state of affairs is likely to compound in the future to the detriment of those clubs in the less prosperous areas which, never-

theless, have the responsibility of maintaining racing in these areas at as healthy a level as possible,” Mr Reid said. ‘‘This issue has national ramifications and, as has been pointed out earlier, is one of growing concern.” Horses to have raced this season up to June 9 numbered 3920 —an increase of 67 on last year, 210 on 1969, and 392 on 1968.

•The total number of starters and the average number of starters per race day tn the various districts up to May 22 were:— District Total Race

Mr Reid reported that in the Canterbury district attendances on the average were up about 15 per cent and the district betting had shown increases of $312,791 on-course and $672,829 offcourse.

There had been decreased turnovers at four meetings, including the Grand National, but substantial increases at the others and records at four Canterbury Jockey Club meetings, including the one where the “outstandingly successful” inaugural NorthSouth invitation race was ; staged. j ! Mr Reid said he understood: that some clubs without! equipment for the filming of; races intended to make a move in the near future and! that others awaited a decision on the centralisation issue. To the remainder without films it was inevitably a matter of racing up to what conference directives over the years had laid down and what the commissions of inquiry had strongly recommended, that all clubs must provide race filming. No race filming is available on five Canterbury courses which stage 12 of the 32 racing days of the season in the district. Apart from Riccarton, the only courses in the district with race filming are Ashburton and Rangiora.

Day Auckland . 5982 Avffe Waikato .. . 4028 175 Taranaki . 1565 104 Wanganui . 3360 108 Hawke’s Bay . 3091 107 Wellington Canterbury . 2996 . 2880 94 111 Greymouth 789 72 Dunedin . 1792 90 Southland . 1837 102