Track might i need cut

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33964, 3 October 1975, Page 10

Track might i need cut

i All that stands in the way of the first greyhound racing meeting at Queen Elizabeth II Park is a surveyor’s report, and possibly approval for changes to the Tartan track.

The president of the Christchurch Greyhound Racing Club (Mr G. H. Kingston) said yesterday that about 2ft might have to come off a course on the run-off for the 100-metre track.

A drain might have to be shifted to keep dogs from stepping in the grating as

they rounded the curve, said Mr Kingston. A report by a Christchurch City Council surveyor is expected soon. The tightness of the first bend of the track has caused several dogs to fall in trials. “If it is just the resiting of the drain, we might not have to go to the full council,’’ Mr Kingston said. Full council approval might mean a delay of six weeks or more.

The problem of dogs “arriving in a heap” at the bend was not too noticeable during the first trial.

Another problem was thought to have been caused by a slippery track and the lack of sight screens at the bend. But when those factors were eliminated, the problem remained.

“We don’t want to chop great big lumps out of it,” he said of the Tartan track.

The club had hoped to have its first race on September 20. A race might be held on November 13, depending on the surveyor’s report. Mr Kingston said the surveyor had some ideas of how to shape the bend, but it might take him a week to a fortnight to complete his i report.