Increases to N.Z. Oaks and stakes schedule

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33579, 6 July 1974, Page 8

Increases to N.Z. Oaks and stakes schedule

An increase of SIOOO in the basic stake of the New Zealand Oaks and a proposal to increase the stakes schedule were the only significant points made by the president of the New Brighton Trotting Club (Mr G. N. Hammett) in his address to members at the annual meeting on Thursday night.

“With the S4OOO subsidy from the New Zealand Racing Authority, this will make the event worth $10,000,” said Mr Hammett. He added that most handicap events will be SIOO above last season. And, he said, increases in stakes for the season should be in excess of SSOOO. Speaking about the future of the club, Mr Hammett said: "I do not feel that rising turnovers are the only thing that signify the success of a club. The attendances at meetings is most important as the atmosphere thus created is an integral part of the sport of trotting,” said Mr Hammett. He also said he hopes for kinder weather in the new season after telling members that total attendances of 38,305 were 3225 below last year. 'There is no doubt that the success or otherwise of the club’s meetings depend to a large degree on the weather, particularly in the hour or so

before the first race." he said. Mr Hammett said the financial year was a most successful one, the profit being $4984, as against $1975 last vear, STAKES The total stakes distributed for the season amounted to $110,350. Of this sum, said Mr Hammett, $100,270 was contributed by the club and the balance of SIO,BOO was subsidy money received from the New Zealand Racing Authority and Stars Travel. “The on-course turnover totalled $1,289,548, off-course 81,981,012, and the combined turnover of $3,279,560 were all records for the club.” said Mr Hammett. But he said "the advent of quinella betting has had a downward effect on on-course doubles betting.” ‘Tn the 1971-72 season, before the introduction of quinellas, the doubles investments were $127,876. In the season under review, however, they were

$84,641, a drop of over $43,000.” he said. I Mr Hammett also remarked on | the increased operating costs. ■‘Last season working expenses (were up bv $7977 and administration expenses by $3038. The major increase in income came from members’ subscriptions and gate receipts,” he said. Reviewing tire season’s racing, Mr Hammett referred to Robalan’s win in the Stars Travel Miracle Mlle, Vanadium’s success in the New Brighton Cup, and feature race wins bv Bachelor Tom, Hurrania (New Zealand Oaks), and Kotare Legend (Celebrity Stakes). DATES Mr Hammett said it was unfortunate that the club had received a number of objections to the dates it had applied for for next season. "It has been suggested that the September meeting should be held on September 14 and 21, Instead of September 7 and 21. But the Auckland Trotting Club has objected to the club racing on September 21, he said. As well, Mr Hammett said, the Greymouth Trotting Club are objecting to New Brighton racing on March 28. and the Forbury Park Trotting Club are objecting to the club’s Anzac Dav date.

On the subject of publicity, Mr Hammett said that he hoped trotting would gain more publicity than it has had in recent months once the paper shortage was over and more space was ‘readily available.” , a \ so X lat Perhaps, radio and television has not given trotting quite the coverage it used to, particularly in the Canterbury district,” said Mr Hammett.