Declaration of riders

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33492, 25 March 1974, Page 8

Declaration of riders

(N.Z. Press Association) INVERCARGILL.

A move to have riding engagements for T.A.B. doubles races declared at official level the day before a club races, is to be made by the N.Z. Racing Conference. Tills was decided when the conference executive met in Invercargill last week. Mr A. R. Algte, the secretary of the conference, said at the week-end that the question of declaring riding engagements prior to race day had been considered for some time. Some study had also been made overseas where such a system is in operation.

"It was decided that at this stage it will not be written into the rules any move to have riding engagements declared before race day.” said Mr Algie. "But it will be recommended to clubs that they include a condition in their programmes remit ring riding engagements for the double legs to be declared by 5 p.m. the day before the club raced.” There could be diffi culties, said Mr Algie, but it was hoped that it would be implemented by the major clubs and then followed by the smaller clubs. The conference also decided that before any race record was recognised as a New Zealand record it had to be ratified by the executive. Mr Algie said a criteria would be laid down which would have to apply. No record would be recognised unless timed by an electronic apparatus and surveyor’s certificate was produced declaring the distance.