A HARDY PERENNIAL

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1930, Page 5

A HARDY PERENNIAL

Editorial—

The abolition of all individual colours -and their replacement

by standard sets of silks has been advocated in remits to the New Zealand Racing Conference for many, many years, and while such a move would be greatly appreciated by the racing public, who, after all, are the people to be considered, the conservative members , of the conference have strenuously opposed the change from the old ■ order.' And now. enthusiasts -in. the light-harness racing world have . taken up the policy, of standard colours and the Inangahua Trotting Club lias framed a r.emit on. these lines to be considered by the delegates at the annual Trotting Conference. The .fathers of racing in this Dominion have become jealously proud of their, colours, but they have forgotten that the lists of owners and the numbers-of racehorses have grown with the years. The distinctive jackets have long been, all claimed, and every week a confusing list of insignificant variations of reds and greens, etc., is registered. To-day the average race-goer is not able to tell what horse’won until the judge hoists the numbers, and when a number of faded redj pink, cerise and crimson colours is found in a tight finish, .the judical decisions are invariably questioned. - : 2 Without a doubt the move towards standardisation of colours ■ is A commendable one, but its advocates will find the prejudice of the conservative section a formidable obstacle. This stand of the ..-big owners is, the essence of conservatism. But racing surely must advance , with the .times, and it is to be hoped that new blood and new ideas will be introduced to the conference table.

“Moturoa.”