The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, April 27th, 1937. SUPPORT LOCAL SPORT!

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1937, Page 4

The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, April 27th, 1937. SUPPORT LOCAL SPORT!

It is no doubt an old story, but it nevertheless is not un niirecisom able grievance on the part of the local Owners’ and Breeders’ Association, that they are denied here any event in which "West Coast competitors might be allowed provide the entire field. At its meeting last evening, the ' Association decided to seek'the co-operation of other West Coast trotting owners m an effort to secure the restoration of events for' West Coast horses to the programmes of the several clubs. Perhaps the owners are themselves to blame for the omission of .such events in recent years, as they may have neglected to make proper representations to the responsible authority. It is difficult to conclude that any promoter of the sport would ignore the advantages which West Coast trotting must obtain from encouraging the training of competitors here. Probably the best criterion would be that of the effect on clubs of the actual training and owning of horses in their respective districts. Judged by this consideration, it might certainly appear that the relatively larger number of trotters owned and trained in the Westport district has been an important factor in promoting the success of the club there. IBs financial position seems to have improved in proportion to the increase of locally-owned and trained animals. The club, moreover, has manifestly recognised that public interest is heightened by such a reminder, for it has given encouragement in the shape of events for West Coast horses. The GreymoutJi Club formerly did likewise, and its eventual substitution of events for the leading performers of the East Coast did not prove a lasting policy, so that it hardly could have proven a paying policy. Yet the events for local competitors have since been omitted from the programmes, and it is timely to raise the question of their restoration. Since the omission, indeed, the number of local owners and of horses locally trained has steadily decreased, although it could lie reasonably claimed that if

local races were again included in the programmes fields of fifteen West Coast horses would be obtainable. In fact, an assurance that such events would be regularly run would probably result in fields at least'as large as in any other races. While the classic horses whose special races replaced the local handicaps hero some years ago did not prove by any means a spur for speculation, the prize offered them for one event were such as would provide two West Coast special handicaps, whereas the- investments on such local contests would again exceed those attracted by classics as largely as they did when they were conducted formerly. Local owners and trainers are more of an advantage for the district economically than ones who come only for a meeting to win whatever they may in order to take it away from the district. Not only would an increase of owners

in the district add interest to trotting, but so also would the conduct of training- where it may be viewed by residents. The conclusion that the higher standard attained by outside horses explains the decrease in loeallyowned and trained ones is not borne out in the case of port, whereas it can be said tn . here the decline in ownership and training dates from the abo i ion, of local events in favour of hi on-ly-endowed ones for a class ox competitor which did not continue to appear on the programme for any length of time. T v whole of the West Coast Clubs which hold trotting races should be requested to offer locally-min-ed and owned horses races of then own Thereby would the sport Ce Encouraged hereabouts m an active, instead of an inc^‘?sin^ e passive form. The pu doubtless familiar with Canter bury performers m a propoitio of "cases, but .as for very many such horses visiting here, they are quantities more unknown by far than any West Coast horses would be. While have here diminished in numbc., thev are yet well warranted m the’endeavour to secure a restoration of local races, seeing that >t is calculated to increase generally, and especially to crease the numbers of ovner , horses and trainers locally, th. clubs, on their part, ought to prepared to co-operate to - tent of a trial for a f™ “ least of such events. I£ the Grey - mouth Club should give a lead it is safe to say that a circuit vould be assured.