Waimate Racing Club’s Committee.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 368, 9 March 1932, Page 10

Waimate Racing Club’s Committee.

(Special to the “ Star.’’) WAIMATE, March 8. At a meeting of the committee of the Waimate Racing Club there were present—Messrs E. A. Craighead (president), G. M’Culloch, E. C. d’Auvergne, J. Dench, J. Matheson, E. B. Harrison, S. Dixon and 11. Willetts. The secretary (Mr A. J. Hoskins) reported that it was hoped to have the course inspected by engineers on Monday with a view to having repairs effected where the recent flood had caused damage. Notification was received from the Railway Department that arrangements had been made for the special trains for the annual races on the same basis as last year. The secretary was instructed to ascertain if provision was made for horses to he railed away the day after the meeting. The secretary stated that on account of race trains this year arriving a quarter of an hour later than previously, only thirty-five minutes was allowed between some of the events. Mr Dench, on behalf of the Ground Committee, reported that the caretaker’s ploughing had made a splendid job of the training tracks on the portion affected by the flood, and not nearly the amount of top-dressing anticipated would now be required. The tracks had benefited from the rains, and better going was provided than had been the case for a number of years. The committee did not at present recommend spending any further money on the buildings or appointments. Mr Willetts endorsed Mr Dench’s report. The president stated that he had made a thorough inspection of the tracks, and was agreeably surprised at their excellent condition. Mr Matheson drew attention to the encroachment of the public on race days upon the course proper in front of the stands between races, this constituting a danger to jockeys and horses immediately prior to the race following. It was decided to ask the police fo co-operate in coping with the trouble. NIG HTMARCH’S GOOD TRIP United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, March 8. Plleven New Zealand racehorses, with their ti*ainers, arrived by the Marama. M’Aulay, who is in charge of Nightmarch, said that the trip was a particularly good one. While on a recent visit to Christchurch, the South African owner, Sir Joseph Robinson, inspected the foal brother to Phar Lap, with a view to purchase. Discussing the colt after his return to Wellington, he said:—“To rfie it seemed they wanted too much—--600 guineas for the colt—He is only a baby, not even a yearling, and no one can say how he will develop. His breeders pressed the matter and I telegraphed from Wellington: ‘Napoleon was a great general, but his brothers were not. The same may apply to Phar Lap’s brothers.’ So we were not *able to deal.”

TROTTING ITEMS.

Acceptances for the Wyndham Trotting Club’s meeting will close at 5 o’clock on Friday evening. * * * * Acceptances for the Manawatu Trotting club’s meeting will close at 6 o’clock on Friday evening. * * * * Nominations for the Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting will close at noon to-morrow. * * * * In connection with the Timaru Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday, a special horse train will leave Christchurch at 6.30 a.m., picking up horses at Sockburn, Templeton, Dunsandel, Rakaia and Ashburton. The return journey will be started from the racecourse platform. Horses must be loaded by 6 p.m. and the train is due in Christchurch at 9.45 p.m. TROTTING FIXTURES. March 11. 12—Cromwell J.C. March 12—South Wairarapa T.C. March 12—Timaru T.C. March 16— Manawatu T.C. March 16—Wyndham T.C. March 17 —Waimate R.C. March 19—Otautau R.C. March 19. 21—Westport J.C.