‘Authority decisions put clubs under pressure’

Press, 13 July 1985, Page 26

‘Authority decisions put clubs under pressure’

From

J. J. Boyle

Wellington

The New Zealand Racing Authority is to be asked to restore to those clubs racing on ungraded courses the same level of stakes subsidy for maidens and up to class 3 horses as that enjoyed by clubs racing on graded courses. A motion along those lines submitted by the Westland Racing Club was strongly supported by delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference yesterday. Mr Jim Keenan, the Westland delegate, said that the recent decisions made by the New Zealand Racing Authority had resulted in several clubs being subjected to a number of severe pressures. Some clubs no longer had access to the Amenities Fund but, even more dramatically, the second of the provisions denied them

the right to the same level of stake subsidies as was enjoyed by clubs on graded courses. “These clubs will no doubt reach a stage where lack of access to those funds will really hurt. It may well mean the demise of some clubs,” Mr Keenan said. “These clubs really feel the injustice of this policy — they are catering for the same owners, trainers and public as those on the graded courses,” he added. Mr Keenan said that the West Coast District Committee at a recent meeting had unanimously resolved that the Conference be asked to submit to the authority reasons why clubs racing on ungraded courses should receive the same subsidies for certain classes as those clubs racing on graded courses. The action of the Authority was not a penalty on

clubs so much as a penalty on owners and trainers, said Mr D. R. G. Pringle (Masterton) in seconding the Westland Club’s motion. Representatives of several clubs with a strong artion of South Island spoke in support of the motion. The Authority appeared to have lost sight of the need for attracting people to go to the races and was denying support for the very clubs that supplied the backbone of South Island racing, said Mr M. G. N. Rattray (Waimate District Hunt Club). People of his district had rallied behind the club when it sought support for the cost of Jetbet and other expenses, said Mr Bill Burdon (Geraldine). It would be sad if racing in the district lost public good will because of the Authority’s policy. “We were told three years ago to get our house in

order, I think Levin has put its house in order,” said Mr G. W. Ryder. Mr R. A. Tattle (Taranaki) said he supported the New Zealand Authority’s moves "with some trepidation.” Mr H. G. Higgie, a member of the executive, said that the Authority’s decisions were a natural progression towards putting racing on a better footing. "Without such moves there is no chance of any relief for the industry and those getting their living from it.” Invited to speak again after discussion on the motion from his club Mr Keenan said that trotting had already entered a strong objection to the authority’s policy. "Clubs like ours rely a lot on voluntary efforts from the people of the district and such a development stemming from the Authority could be like a rope around our necks,” he said.