STRATFORD RACING CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 46, 24 October 1913, Page 5

STRATFORD RACING CLUB.

THE NEW YEAR MEETING. The Stratford Racing Club's programme for its annual race meeting, to be held on'January Ist and 2nd, 1914, has been duly approved by the District Committee and will be in the hands of owners and trainers almost immediately. The progressive Committee of the Club has this year issued the best programme the Club has yet put out, the total stakes offered'at the two days' meeting amounting to £1605, a substantial increase on the prizes offered last year. The open events are:—Stratford Cup, 200 sovs,- Flying Handicap, 150 sovsj (first day); Dominion Handicap, 150; sovs, and Ngaere Handicap, 125 sovs (second day). Both hurdle races are granted 100 sovs. each, as at last meeting. The Club still keeps to its custom of presenting handsome trophies to the riders of winners in the Farmers' Plate and Ladies' Purse. Owners will specially note that all nomination fees for hack events are continued at "the low figure of ten shillings, which certainly means a considerable saving to the owner intending to enter several horses. Following the custom of the larger Clubs races on the present programme which in previous programmes figured as mile events are now one mile and one hundred and ten yards, with the exception of the Toko Welter, which .has. been made a seven furlong race. These alterations obviate the possible crowding at the bend.. It is also well to note that in addition to increasing stakes and generally imprpving the..programme the Club has adopted a progressive policy of improvements to the course aifd properties. Foremost of these good works is the excellent new fiftyfoot drive way and footpath, which was designed and carried out under the experienced direction of Messrs. Robinson and Christophers. This road, will give easy: and short access for pedestrian and vehicular traffic to the.'grandstands and paddocks. The contract for metalling has just been lefe to Mr F. W. Green, who will have the whole of the work finished by the first 'week in December. English trees are being planted along the new roadway. Altogether, the Committee is to be congratulated on the advances made.