No T.V. coverage of Sire’s Produce meeting

Press, 28 February 1986, Page 26

No T.V. coverage of Sire’s Produce meeting

PA Palmerston North

The Manawatu Racing Club is angry at the treatment received from Television New Zealand which will not provide live cover of the club’s two-day Sires’ Produce Stakes meeting on March 15 and 22.

The autumn meeting, long recognised as one of the big attractions on the racing calendar, has been televised in past years. '

March 15 was originally allocated to Manawatu as a television date but the second day, when the Sires’ Produce Stakes is run, was also taken off

the list because of the New Zealand-Australia one day cricket match at Christchurch.

While disappointed, the club accepted the second day’s race would not be televised. Then it was revealed the club’s first day would not receive television cover. That day has been reserved for the New Zealand Horse Society’s horse of the year day at Levin. Manawatu’s secretary, Mr Bill Freeman, said yesterday that the club had unsuccessfully tried all avenues to change the T.V.N.Z. decision

. Last year, when the club had both days tele-

vised live, the off-course turnover was in the region of $4,400,000 for the two days.

This year Mr Freeman expects a substantial drop, probably to something around $3,750,000. "We are very, very disappointed, not only for ourselves but also for the public. It’s a' decision we have little control over,” said Mr Freeman.

“We have always had a good relationship with television people every time they come to Manawatu, and for this club to be sorted out to be dropped off the list is a bitter pill to swallow,” said Mr Freeman.