RACING New administration centre at Riccarton

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33263, 28 June 1973, Page 8

RACING New administration centre at Riccarton

The time had come to carry out major changes in the running of the club’s affairs and it was the unanimous opinion of the committee that the most important move to be made was to establish a new administration centre at Riccarton Racecourse, said the chairman of the Canterbury Jockey Club (Mr W. G. Quirk) last night.

Speaking at the club’s annual meeting, Mr Quirk said that the present steward’, owners’ and trainers’ stand would be demolished and a new building erected to house the club’s offices and provide up-to-date facilities for owners, trainers, jockey, members, and the public.

“Preliminary matters are in hand for this proposal and members will be advised from time to time of the progress being made,” said Mr Quirk. Mr Quirk said that the year had been notable for racing and trotting clubs throughout New Zealand with the establishment of the Racing Authority. “Major matters such as administration of the Amenities Fund and the Stakes Subsidy Account, which has been well received, particularly by South Island racing clubs, have been of particular interest to our club as the major club in the South Island and your committee is completely satisfied with the undoubted progress which is being made,” said Mr Quirk. “Your committee has expressed its full support for the establishment and continued operation of the authority.” GOOD RACING Mr Quirk said that racing at Riccarton during the year was once again of the highest order. He made special mention of Enceeoh, which proved himself a steeplechaser of quality in winning the Grand National-Lincoln Steeplechase double; and Koral, one of the greatest drawcards at Riccarton for many years, whose retirement was announced after the Lincoln Steeplechase last August.

“His record of 12 wins over the Riccarton country, including four victories in the Lincoln Steeplechase, led the committee to perpetuate his memory by renaming that race the Koral Steeplechase,” said Mr Quirk. “The dashing grey in the familiar Hazlett colours will long be remembered for his prowess on our tough steeplechase course.”

Mr Quirk said that it was clear that the club’s decision to change to brush hurdles was an unqualified success and it was pleasing to report that the whole of the South Island, with the exception of Marlborough and Nelson, both of which are known to be considering the change, has switched to brush. “It is your committee’s opinion that the South Island has estab-

lished a trend which could and should be followed by all clubs in New Zealand.” he said. BETTING FACILITIES

Mr Quirk said that plans were in hand to install additional selling machines on the ground floor of the members’ stand, adjacent to the cafeteria and pay-out facilities in the mezzanine floor, and additional quinella betting would be made available at the lawn totalisator, in the public stand and in the owners’ and trainers’ stand. This was the first step of a longer-term project to improve all totalisator facilities on the racecourse.

Mr Quirk said that a matter which was still causing much conjecture was the decision to give up the New Zealand Derby and the New Zealand Oaks under certain conditions for the New Zealand One Thousand and Two Thousand Guineas in the new

proposal to limit classic races for three-year-olds.

“You can rest assured that the committee gave serious consideration to this radical move,” said Mr Quirk. “A meeting of all the parties concerned with the proposals and the classic races is to be held very shortly in Wellington and after this meeting an announcement will be made as to the stakes and subsidies to be provided.” Mr Quirk said that the race date permanently relinquished by the Banks Peninsula Racing Club and allocated to the Canterbury Jockey Club by the Racing Conference would be used in the new season on Saturday, March 2.

“The allocation of the date to our club was seen as a necessity so that opportunities would not be lost to Canterbury owners, trainers and jockeys,” said Mr Quirk.