TALK OF THE DAY

Otago Witness, Issue 2905, 17 November 1909, Page 52

TALK OF THE DAY

By Sentinel. THE FORBURY PARK MEETING.

The latter end of next week will mark a very important period in the history of light- harness racing in Otago, as it will sse. if all goes well, the opening of the new course which has been, constructed at a gTeat deal of expaise on the old Forbury Park Racecourse. There has always been a great deal of sentiment surrounding the Forbury Park Baeecouree. It was there that racing flourished when many other now prosperous clubs were unthoughb of. It was there that some of the best of our old sportsmen made racing in Otago amongst the best m New Zealand, *nd it was there that famous battles were foughii aird left the victors famous in turf history. That atmosphere of sentiment has never left the old coarse, and one is continually hearing expressions of regret that the Dun* edin Jockey Club ever left the old place-. If the Forbury Park • Trotting Club" can revive and add to the old attachment to Forbury Park, the future -is an assured success, and trotting meetings held there will grew in popularity from meeting to meeting. But the club does not require to "reiv on -memories of the past to make tibeir meetings at Forbury Pary of an attrao" tive nature, because to-day they have one of the best-appointed trotting, tracks in, Australasia, and their prize list -is euffi- ' ciently rich to attract some of the bestf horses in training. There appears to b» : no doubt about the fvttune prospects of Forbury Park meetings if the management" give satisfaction to the public and" the rao-. ing is supervised in a manner calculated to preserve and advance the best interests o£ the sport. During the past few seasonsthere has been a decided improvement in f the quality of the sport witnessed' all Tahuna Park, but it was still open to improvement, and with progressive programmes, strict control, and a desire to please the public this club should never fly their flag* on I^herr property without seeing tihe enclosures well-filled with: an evergrowing army of patrons. The club is deserving of great success for having the courage to undertake their new venture and the writer will be backed by many others in wishing the new course all the good luck it deserves.