AN UNSATISFACTORY POSITION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 131, 3 May 1927, Page 6

AN UNSATISFACTORY POSITION.

For some 20 years it lias been the custom of the Mamnvatu RacingClub to conduct its autumn race meeting immediately following

the similar fixture of the Wellington Club, this practice having given owners from far afield the opportunity of visiting two centres to compete for some £14,000 or £15,000 in stake money without incurring undue expense in travelling. To further assist owners, and with the intention of making the local fixture more attractive, it has been the custom of the Manawatu Club to arrange for the transport of horses at the conclusion of the meeting at Trentham by means of a special train on the Sunday, the Wellington Club having raced on the Thursday and Saturday. Patrons from Christchurch w r ere thus provided with the opportunity of attending two attractive fixtures within a minimum space of time, for it was possible to leave _ Christchurch on the Tuesday immediately preceding the Wellington meeting, participate in the racing on the Thursday and Saturday, continue on to Palmerston North for the following Wednesday and Thursday, and return home within 11 days. Last year the Manawatu Club applied, as had been its practice, for the days in the week immediately following the Wellington fixture, but, to its great astonishment, the dates committee of the Racing Conference made an alteration which has resulted in great hardship being inflicted on clubs and owners alike. Some years ago the Rangitikei Club held its annual meeting on January 1 and 2, but when the number of racing days was curtailed, this club lost its permit. In 1914, however, it was reinstated and its races took place at any time between March 20 and 2b, The Wellington meeting was held about the middle of April and Manaw r atu the following week. This year the Wellington Club’s dates were advanced to March 17 and 19, but instead of Manawatu being granted the following week as previously, Rangitikei was allowed to retain its original dates, March 23 and 24, which compelled Manawatu to. search for other suitable days. The local committee, while perturbed at the action of the dates committee, finally elected to race on April 28 and 30 in order that southern owners, returning from the Auckland Easter meeting, w r ould be encouraged in race their horses in Palmerston North. However, while the general nominations received were highly satisfactory, the classic events did not fill well, it being evident that the majority of owners had turned their youngsters out, objecting to keep them in protracted training. The paucity of the fields in these events at last week’s fixture had a serious effect on the totalisator returns, although the position was further aggravated by the indifferent weather experienced, particularly in Wellington and Hawke’s Bay, wliere conditions were apparently worse than what prevailed in Palmerston North, and thus offered little inducement for patrons in those districts to make the trip. Summing up the position, it is strikingly evident that, in consideration to owners, an amendment in the present dates of the Wellington and Manawatu racing fixtures should be made and the original dates reverted to for, with the existing heavy tax on ow r ners in the matter of the transportation cost of their horses, there is no inducement for them to travel from home under the arrangement now r in vogue. The opportunity of participating in a stake distribution of £15,000 was highly attractive to owners far remote from the two centres now so seriously affected, and until the dates committee sees the wisdom of a readjustment, the clubs affected and the sport generally will suffer.