Minimal interference’ in racing — Minister

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34087, 26 February 1976, Page 9

Minimal interference’ in racing — Minister

J Z. Press Association/ WELLINGTON. A minimum of political interference in racing is the wish of the new Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Hijjhet), according to the New Zealand Racing Owners and Trainers’ Federation.

At the annual general meeting of the federation this week Mr Leicester Spring, a vice-president, outlined proceedings of a meeting on Monday between a federation delegation and Mr Highet.

Mr Spnng was accompanied at the meeting by the president Mr J. C. Pollock, a vice-president Mr C. J. Winder, and the federation's secretary, Mr 1. A McMullin.

Mr Spring said that political interference in racing had been discussed at length with Mr Highet. He told the Minister that for many years racing had been persistently hampered by political interference, wnich was brought to a head by the new Government’s decision to let the Kumara club continue racing on its own track.

Lbe Kumara decision was “a legacy of the last election,” according to Mr Spring. He said that during the election campaign Mr Muidoon had made an undertaking that Kumara could race on its own course.

I he Racing Authority had previously recommended that Kumara centralise and the National Government’s decision ‘cuts right across the Racing Authority’s line of thinking.’ said Mr Spring. Mr Highet, however, said ne was fully aware of the problem, and is attempting to solve it. He fully supported the Racing Authority and would not tolerate nterference into the work it is doing. He said he would shut his doors to political interfer ence and anyone trying to get through them would be referred back to the authority

The question of joint representation of the owners’ and trainers’ federation and the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association on the Racing Authority was also discussed with Mr Higher Mr Spring reminded the Minister that when it was decided that the Racing Authority should be set up a few’ vears ago his federation had impressed upon people at that time that joint ’enresentatin n was undesirable.

He said that serious problems through a joint representation had now arisen. The federation's attitude was still unchanged and ihe Minister was assured the ♦'ederation would fully support the breeders* association in an

aUeuipi tu get separate representation on tile Authoritv. Mr Spring said that the federation’s delegation was highly satisfied by the outcome of the talks they had had with Mr Highet. The question of centralisation of the Waverley and Thames clubs was also raised and delegates were advised that preliminary discussions between the Minister and the authority were under way. The delegates for the central South Island raised the matters of class five horses being allowed to run out their nominations after having won a race in that class. He said it was hard enough for a class five horse to gain a start without being further restricted by horses who have already nassed the class five limit.

He suggested that each class five winner should immediately become ineligible for class five races and should not be able to -un out its nominations.

He said class five horses should have the same renomination clause as maidens do at present, which would enable them to pass straight into class four after having won a C 5 race. The matter was put on the agenda to be discussed at the next meeting of the federation.

Mr Spring declined renomination as one of the federation’s vice-presidents and he was replaced by Mr Sid Munro, of Waikato.

Another new vice-president elected, to represent the South island, was Mr Ross Simpson, of Christchurch.

Mr Pollock was re-elected unopposed as president.