$500 bonus for class records to continue

Press, 31 August 1983, Page 37

$500 bonus for class records to continue

The Canterbury Park Trotting Club will continue to add $5OO to the winner’s stake when a class record is bettered at one of their several meetings to be run this season.

The club introduced the scheme last season on a trial basis, and this will continue for another 12 months after which the situation will be reassessed. Last season the club had to pay out $3OOO when six class records at Addington Raceway were broken. Patron Score started when he won a mobile 2600 m for maiden pacers in 3min 21.95, while Rapid Boy earned $5OO when he returned 3min 18.4 s for the same distance by a C 3

pacer. Stampede equalled that time, the best on the course by a C 7 pacer, while Bonnie’s Chance set a national record of 3min 15.45, the best by an 0C pacer.

Light Lord and Hobart Star both improved the mile record for C 5 pacers. Hobart Star returned Imin 59.25, one-tenth of a second better than Light Lord’s best set in October.

The Sting set a new standard for a mobile 2000 m by a C 9 pacer at 2min 30.55, while Lord Alias and Zebec set new standards which established national records, and they were not eligible for the $5OO bonus.

Kakama, Chesapeake, Sir Castleton and Lyndon

Robert all equalled class records during the season.

Fourteen class records were broken at meetings of the New Brighton and Metropolitan Clubs, but no bonuses were payable. The payments for class records by the Canterbury Park Club have aroused considerable interest among owners and trainers and patrons, too, and are now becoming more aware of them. Club officials feel that the bonuses are a worth-while incentive. They feel that over all they have contributed to a high standard of racing and in so many instances times have been close to class records and also national records.