Australia and New Zealand May Combine.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20360, 18 July 1934, Page 12

Australia and New Zealand May Combine.

INTERNATIONAL TROTTING. An international trotting meeting each year extending ‘ over three days, witr bigger stakes than have hitherto been distributed in the Southern Hemisphere, is proposed by the president of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, Mr H. F. Nicoll. 11 is scheme has been enthusiastically* taken up by* the president of the West Australian Trotting Association, Mr J. P. Stratton, who paid a visit recently* to New Zealand and conferred with Mr Nicoll on the subject. The whole scheme is one that has received the careful * consideration of its sponsor and, if carried into effect, it will bring about international contests among the best horses in Australia and in New Zealand. This is probably* the most important proposal ever made in connection with trotting. In addition to fostering annual contests among the %lite of the pacers and trotters in the Commonwealth and the Dominion, an attempt will be made to hold an annual or biannual conference of the trotting associations in Australia and New Zealand. Such an arrangement could do much to remove the present difficulties concerning the handicapping question, and dual nomenclature, and be a medium of closer co-operation of the associations in both countries. In connection with the trotting contests, Mr Nicoll suggests that a trotting meeting extending over three days be held alternatelv in Sydnev, Melbourne, Perth and New Zealand! The meeting would be conducted by* the principal trotting club in the centre at which the fixture was due to be held. The combined associations would guarantee the club-interested against any loss, and the combined associations, acting as one body, would receive a percentage of the profits. Big Stakes.

.Mr Nicoll is strong in his claim that big stakes should be given, and that at least three races for the best horses in Australia and New Zealand should be included in the programme. The prizes would be sufficient to attract the elite of the trotters and pacers, and in order to make certain of the champions meeting each . year it .is suggested that the combined associations could go even as far as to guarantee a portion of the expenses of transit of the horses invited tp participate. The scheme is well thought out, and there is every prospect of the associations in Australia giving Mr Nicoll’s proposals favourable consideration. The recent ■visit of W alia Walla to New Zealand is proof of the attraction that good horses are to the sporting public. Annual contests among the best horses in. Australia and New Zealand would place the light harness sport on a plane even higher than it enjoys today.