TROTTING EVENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22911, 19 June 1936, Page 7

TROTTING EVENTS

ON RACING CLUBS’ PROGRAMMES

SOUTHERN SUPPORT NEEDED When trotting events were first incorporated in racing clubs’ programmes strong exception was taken by supporters of the thoroughbred to what was considered an encroachment by the trotting sport on racing clubs’ territory. The project was sponsored by certain racing clubs (says the Christchurch Star-Sun) with a view to assisting their finance, which was necessary on account of the lack of interest and support accorded them by admirers of the galloping sport. Thus the trotting authorities were invited to provide trotting events on racing club programmes. This, arrangement was welcomed by those associated with trotting because it furnished a much-desired opportunity to provide more races for rtovicc pacers, and mixed programmes eventually became popular, and the two branches of sport have become strongly dovetailed, to their mutual advantage. The North Island delegates to the Racing Conference are not in sympathy with light hahiess racing, and a move has been made to eliminate trotting events from racing chib programmes. Officials of the North Island clubs do not realise the importance of trotting contests being included in many racing clubs’ schedules, and they should not be allowed to overrule long-established conditions in the South Island.

The president of the Racing Conference has expressed himself as against (lie inclusion of light harness events on racing programmes, but it is pretty certain that lie would review his decision if he were bettor acquainted witli the conditions obtaining in the South Island. If the racing clubs concerned arc alive to their own interests they will support the hunt clubs in the effort to restore, the trotters’ races when deemed necessary to strengthen a programme. Failing the support suggested, it may come about (hat trotting events will be deleted from racing clubs’ cards next season., A move in this direction is likely to be made at the conference of delegates from racing clubs to be held at Wellington next month.