U.S.A. TROTTERS

Grey River Argus, 10 August 1935, Page 7

U.S.A. TROTTERS

May Race in N.Z. AUSTRALIAN PROJECT. (Per Press Association.; AUCKLAND, August 9. Returning after a mission to interest American authorities in the first of a series of annual international trotting contests to be held alternately in each of the Australian States and New Zealand, Mr. J. P. Stratton, president of the West Australian Trotting Association, passed through Auckland by the Mariposa. The recent conference in Sydney, of which Mr. Stratton was elected joint president, decided to hold the first contest at Perth next February. Mr Stratton enlisted the aid of the National Trotting Association, in America in obtaining nominations, making details of the programmes available and certifying to the fitness of anv horses nominated. American owners were very interested in the proposal, and Mr. Stratton considers there is a good chance of some horses being sent out early next year. The regulations which made it necessary to keep American horses entering the Australian States or New Zealand in quarantine for a period were a deterrent, as, otherwise, the owners would race here and in New South Wales and Victoria on their way to West Australia. To make the trip worth while, he intended to try and have the regulations altered so that a horso which had been certified by Government veterinary officers, could be admitted at once. The New Zealand authorities would do well to take similar steps, as American owners would undoubtedly be willing to race here, either on their way to Australia, or on the return journey, and such events would give a decided impetus to the sport in this country. There was a quarantine period of a month on American horses coming into New Zealand at present, and a. fortnight in Australia.