NEW TRAINING TRACK

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 47, 19 November 1936, Page 17

NEW TRAINING TRACK

Palmerston North Wants to be Trotting Centre Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, November IS. The Manawatu Trotting Club is making a strong bid to establish Palmerston North as the leading North Island centre outside of Auckland for the light-harness sport. For years it has been under the handicap of being unable to use the Awapuni course of the Manawatu Racing Club, where it holds its meetings, for training purposes. It had a small track at Boundary Road, Palmerston North, and latterly another small track at Terrace End. Now it has acquired another adjacent paddock, and enlarged the track to five furlongs in circumference and 24 feet wide at the narrowest part. It is well banked and pipe drained with two good straights. 'Die bends are on the lines of those of the average course. At the road end of the track, which is in Fitzroy Street, Terrace End, six stalls and a lockup gear-room have been erected. There are good yards with water laid on for washing. The track will be opened on Saturday. Another important point in trotting prospects in the Manawatu is the serious consideration that is being given to a proposition suggested by the president of the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association (Mr. Jos. Batchelar) to hold trotting on the Show Grounds, Palmerston North. These are right in the heart of the city, with all the necessary equipment in the way of stands and banks for spectators. Only a totalisator is lacking, but there are buildings t in the ground which would readily lend themselves to conversion. Mr. E. F. C. Hinds, owner of Harold Dogan, is transferring two of his stables from Christchurch to swell the ranks of the dozen or more trotters now in commission at Palmerston North. There are some fair performers such as Franz Derby among those already training here. Racing Fxtures. , Nov. 21—Levin R.C. Nov. 21—Southland R.C. Nov. 21, 23—Waikato R.C. . Nov. 28 —Ashburton County R.C. Nov. 28. 30 —Takapuna J.C.. at Ellerslie. Nov. 28. 30 —Feilding J.C. Dec. 10. 12—Woodville District J.C. Dec. 12 —Hororata R.C. Dec. 19 —Otaki Maori R.C.