Aust. officials to visit N.Z.

Press, 11 April 1978, Page 20

Aust. officials to visit N.Z.

NZPA Sydney Two of Australia’s top horse racing administrators will meet with officials of the New Zealand Racing Conference during a visit to New Zealand next week. The secretary-general manager of the Australian Jockey Club, Major-General J. W. (Jim) Norrie, and the secretary of the Victorian Racing Club. Mr W. M. (Murray) Cox, will spend nearly a week in New Zealand. A report published in the “Sydney Morning Herald” yesterday, quoted General Norrie as saying it was hoped to discuss the setting up of a combined Australian and New Zealand committee to represent both countries at overseas discussions on racing. However, General Norrie denied this when approached by N.Z.P.A. yesterday, and said that close liaison already existed between the two racing industries and that he and Mr Cox w’ould not be making any new initiatives. “We have been talking together over matters of common interest for some time,” he said. The discussions would be part of a continuing programme, which Included such subjects as the speedier transfer of racehorse registrations between countries. General Norrie said he also hoped to attend the Hawke’s Bay races while in New Zealand. From New Zealand he wifi go to the United States on a study tour, which will have stable security as one of its major priorities. - The alleged activities of a “nobbling” gang have been causing concern in New South Wales, and complete stable security is considered the best method of preventing the doping of racehorses.