THE PROSPECTS BRIGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1935, Page 9

THE PROSPECTS BRIGHT

COMING RACING SEASON REVIEWED POSITION AMONG THE TARANAKI CLUBS HORSES WANTED FROM THE WAIKATO

(By

“Hurry On.”)

’J'HOUGH many racing officials have expressed alarm at. the com-

ing big exodus of horses from New Zealand to Australia during the next two months, this is not likely to affect the Taranaki meetings to .any great extent. The big Randwick and Flemington gatherings have an undoubted lure for the owners of champions and near champions and those who like to wager heavily, but not to the ordinary owner of one or two horses. Ip Taranaki there are very few of these two types, and most of the horses in training in the province will do a big part of their racing at the provincial gatherings.

At the present juncture the prospects for the' coming season in Taranaki appear very bright, and there is every probability of the fields being larger at all meetings than they were last year. Most of the trainers have nearly all their boxes filled and are busily preparing their charges for the spring gatherings. This is certainly an encouraging sigh as there is no doubt that with better and bigger fields will come more interest from the general public. The wonderfully successful day the Egmont Racing Club enjoyed on the concluding day of the winter meeting on the King’s jubilee holiday demonstrated that the Taranaki public has lost none of its interest in the sport of racing. The crowd present that day was a revelation, and the manner in which they flocked round the totalisator windows was reminiscent of the days when such things as depressions had not even been thought of. The club’s fine programme had attracted some splendid fields, and these in their turn attracted the public. The Egmont gathering gave the sport a fresh impetus in the province, and all the clubs should make it their business to ensure that interest is not only maintained but also fostered and increased. Despite the increased number of horses in training there are not sufficient in the province to ensure the success of the meetings without support from outside, and it is the problem of attracting these horses that is the key to the position. Every endeavour must be made to ensure eight to ten starters in at least 75 per cent, of the races. This is imperative for the success of the meetings. I Place betting is undoubtedly popular with Taranaki racegoers, but they do like the three chances of obtaining a return for each investment. In the past the clubs have looked for this outside support- from Wellington, Manawatu and Wanganui, but though horses from Wanganui at least will always compete, great attention must be paid to Waikato owners and trainers. Since the opening of the Stratford-r Main Trunk railway a -great deal has been done in this regard, but more can be done and will have to be don®.

1 Every meeting in the Auckland province draws almost unwieldy yields of hacks; the country abounds with hacks. An increase in the stakes for the hack events on the programmes for the Taranaki, and. Stratford meetings would undoubtedly draw these hacks in increased numbers for the Christmas and New Year circuit. Every effort should be made to ensure a big contingent for the circuit as on the success or otherwise .of these two gatherings will depend the prospects of the February circuits. The small number of hack events and the strong class at the Ellerslie gathering do not make Ellerslie attractive for the owners of northern hacks, and thus makes Auckland a likely field from which to draw entries for the Taranaki meetings. An increase in stakes and another canvass of • the Waikato should bring results. Though the time may not yet be opportune there appears to be a possibil’ty of making a circuit extending from New Plymouth and continuing through the Waikato, embracing the Waikato, Ohinemuri and Te Aroha meetings. If it were properly organised, with the full co-operation of the Taranaki and Waikato clubs and owners, there would be decided possibilities in a circuit on these lines, and the proposal might be worth the consideration of the clubs. The combined Taranaki and EgmontWanganui Hunt Club’s meeting at New Plymouth at the end of August should give the new season a good “send-off,” as already indications point to this gathering being an even greater success than it was last year. With the exception of the wealthy Pahuranga club no hunt clubs have put forth such. an attractive programme, and many outside owners and trainers have already expressed their intention, of being present. All the Taranaki stables will be strongly represented; in fact several trainers will be racing every horse in their charge at the meeting. This will give the new year a splendid start, and there appears- to be every reason for the Taranaki clubs to look forward to the best season for some years. The star of the sport is definitely in the ascendant, and properly managed, racing should be on a firm footing again before next winter.