Young persons needed in stand

Press, 14 November 1977, Page 21

Young persons needed in stand

More young persons should be encouraged to the stewards’ stand, according to Mr Delvin Miller, one of the most famous figures in trotting in the United States. Mr Miller was the guest speaker at the first New Zealand trotting dinner held by the Standardbred Breeders’ Association.

“Get some of your younger persons to replace some of the older ones who don’t even own a horse. You might get some good ideas from them,” he said. Mr Miller also had some I words for trotting adminisi trators. To them he said: I “Keep. trotting away from I politicians. They’re like | leeches. They keep taking 1 more and more from the 1 sport without putting anything back.”

Mr Miller said he was delighted that women would soon be granted licences to drive in New Zealand. He also announced that ef-

forts were being made to reintroduce international racing. “Officials and Meadowlands are making arrangements to invite three horses from Australia and the same number from New Zealand to compete against three North American horses next year,” he said. Mr Miller said he also hoped that it would be possible for a top New Zealand two-year-old to compete in a rich series on the same course. Consideration was being given to sponsoring such an event.

Awards won during the season and already announced were presented at the dinner, where it was announced that Charlie Hunter had won the first New Zealand trotting personality of the year award. Hunter, one of the most successful trainers in New Zealand in recent years, now spends most of his time in the United States.