AVONDALE'S NEW TRACK

NZ Truth, Issue 1168, 19 April 1928, Page 9

AVONDALE'S NEW TRACK

But Further Improvements Are Still Necessary

I (Prom "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) .- Nothing but favorable comment could be expected regarding lie new course at Avondale.

T is nine furlongs round and over 90ft. wide, with a finishing straight of over two furlongs. It is well banked at the turns wh^ro lecessary, but to state that it has it >ver Te Rapa, Trentham and Riccar:on from the run out at the mile peg s not correct. At the present time the mile post at Avondale is slightly m favor of horses m the inside, for there are two bends o be negotiated before the back jtretch is fairly entered upon— less ;han a furlong and a- half from the nile peg. It may be that m the future the mile post will be shifted, so that there will be a straight run down the back as at Ellerslie, but this will possibly entail further property being acquired. Generally speaking, however, the Avondale track is a vast improvement on most of the northern racing paths, being more suitable for the success of good horses over squibs. In short, it is a stayer's track, while It is not too far across, as at Riccarton, where the public have difficulty m following the running of the horses. This must not be taken to indicate ;hat racing at Avondale could be folowed by all patrons who attended the lutumn fixture, for as matters stand it present only those inside patrons tvho rushed the grandstand early on •ould hope to follow the running from he home turn. The others — and they represented a large number — never even obtained a glimpse of the jockeys' jackets m the run home, being cut off from view by the crowd which

lined the fences the whole length of the straight. It is safe to state that almost half the people who attended the opening day's racing on Avondale's new track never caught a reasonable glimpse of a horse from the time of reaching the home bend until the finishing post was passed. The Avondale J.C. officials probably know this themselves. It means that the new building scheme and the raising of the lawns will have to be taken m hand with all haste, so that some improvement will be apparent when the Avondale Cup fixture comes round m September. If the improvements cannot possibly be made before next spring, it may be advisable to try cutting off half the present space allotted for lawn patrons between the stand and the course. This would tend to appease the dissatisfied patrons of All -aged Stakes day. As a matter of fact, the suburban racing heads have a big building scheme m mind. It would seem that for the popularity and advancement of the club's gatherings the necessary finance should be found with as little .delay as possible. The question of providing an electric tote must also be kept m sight, for Avondale fixtures are going to advance m poularity. There is nothing more certain if the club acts wisely and studies every requirement of the multitude who enjoy their day's r,acing. They have the track. Now for the other improvements necessary to satisfy a metropolitan racing crowd!