MONDAY'S RACING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 15, 30 December 1911, Page 5

MONDAY'S RACING.

GOOD PROSPECT FOR EXCELLENT WEATHER.

SUCCESS SEEMS ASSURED

It would lie a dangerous thing to prophecy, lint it looks very much as if the weather has repented, and that the Stratford Racing Club are going to provide on Monday and ’1 uesday next, some racing really “worth while.” We cannot help thinking - that the progress of the Club has been remarkable, and a great deal of this must be attributed to the energetic services of Mr. A. W. Budge, under whose popular presidency the Club has advanced by leaps and bounds. The improvements effected this year alone, show that the Club is not standing still.’ Perhaps the one that will be most appreciated is The fill-irig-up of the two dips in tlic racetrack. Formerly the horses, .when running' through these ; places; were for a lime obscured from the view of all thbsd who did not happen to be in the grandstand, hut now the course is quite equal to some of the metropolitan ones, and a splendid view of the races is obtained from all parts. The new stewards’ stand and the additions to the grandstand will, wo feel sure, cope with the crowd for some' years to come. The new iron railing fencing which supersedes the old picket fences round , the lawn ihd bird-cage is of a solid kind, and looks neat and serviceable.

The tptalisator house is just about twice its original size, anj will lie worked on the silent system. Another innovation which the club has adopted this season is a new scale tor weighing the jockeys. T his is truly a marvel of ingenuity, and is called the “Hutchinson Patent.” The boys simply, sit in a chair and their weight is recorded to an ounce on a steel beam near the top of the chair. This machine is now installed by most of the leading clubs, and will greatly facilitate i the clerk of the scales in his duties. We may say the patentee is in old Taranaki hoy, being a son of Dr. Hutchinson, of Tarata. The lawns and appointments are a credit to the caretaker, and some fast times should be put up,as the tracks seem as good is,they can lie made. Mr. J. R. L. Stanford will act as judge, and as a racing man of considerable experience} should have no difficulty in giving the fullest satisfaction.

Mr. G. .0. Hunter is acting as secretary in place of Mr. J. R. Mackay, who for so many years lias with •such marked ability held the office of secretary of the Club, and whose regrettable illness has prevented him taking the fullest control of affairs. Mr. Mackaj hopes, however, to be present at the meeting. Mr. H. Thompson of Christchurch will have charge of the tapes.