Trainers criticise clash of dates

Press, 12 August 1980, Page 25

Trainers criticise clash of dates

PA Wellington; The executive committee' of the New Zealand Racing; Owners and Trainers’) Federation covered a lot of ground under the chairmanship of the President (Mr Syd Munro) at their • quarterly meeting in Wellington last week. The recent clash of dates between the Avondale Jockey Club and the Auckland Greyhound Racing Club came in for lengthy discussions, .Mr Munro commenting: “It is 'a pity this ever happened. With hindsight the dispute should have gone back to the clubs and every avenue explored before a decision was made.” The committee approved, unanimously a submission' that the federation suggest to the Racing Authority a five-| point recommendation, asking that all avenues of conciliation between clubs should be explored, how racegoers will be affected, the effect on clubs, owners, trainers, jockeys and drivers and the over-all effect on the industry. Mr Munro said that the established rate principle was wrong, and would be chaos if it was maintained. “No one will benefit,” he said. The Accident Compensation Commission, as it applied to apprentice jockeys also come in for lengthy debate.

A technical information circular says, in part, that: “The apprentice rides for the owners of the horse not for the trainer. When riding at race meetings, an apprentice jockey is a self-employed person (in addition to being an employee of the trainer) equally with his totally, selfemployed counterparts.” Mr Lester Spring commented, “The wording is, wrong. An apprentice cannot accept another ride without the consent of his employer, and must stay as an employee. An . apprentice cannot be called selfemployed when he rides for; someone else.” The committee moved, thafrMr Munro make further

inquiries to the Accident Compensation Commission, pointing out that the federation thought the wording was wrong and that an apprentice was not in any way self employed in that half the riding fees go to the trainer. The registration of racing colours for syndicates and registered companies also came under attack. At present colours for all members of a syndicate or partnership must be registered, with minor changes, but the 'federation would like to see [a horse registered in one set I of colours only. I The federation's recomImendations on the proposed amendments to the Racing 'Act, in particular the 'general purpose fund and I minus dividends, and other proposals. , supported by the federation -were ' also discussed by the committee. The chairman suggested to the heads of the various

area associations that they discuss with members the fact that there is no chair of research into racecourse maintenance.

He said that in the past money had been frittered away and suggested that each galloping club could contribute $2OO, say, to enable someone to do research and become a consultant for all racing clubs. “The old expertise is being lost,” Mr Munro said. “The old timers and their knowledge is dying out There is no co-ordination between clubs.” Criticism was levelled at the apparent lack of effort in promoting the New Zealand horse. It was suggested that there are moves afoot to change tthe laws relating to the exportation of horses, but that there should be more incentives. Representation will be made to the Export Institute.