CONFERENCE DECISIONS

Chronicle (Levin), 15 July 1947, Page 2

CONFERENCE DECISIONS

From August 1 it will be permissible for raeehorses to win £500 iu one or more . stakes before losing their hack status, the annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference decided on Friday. It was stated that the Owners ', Breeders' and Trainers' Association favoured the change. The draw for positions at the barrier may be made on the day acceptances are taken or within 24 hours afterwards, the draw to be made iu the presence of at least three stewards of the ciub concerned. This Wellington Racing Club remit was carried on the voices. Mr. H. H. Green, the proposer, said that the draw should be printed in programmes, a practice followed by a number of Australian clubs. The Owners', Breeders' and Trainers' Association was in favour of the change, which would be' a great help to owners who might not want to continue the engagements of horses if they had drawn badly. Mr. N. H. Moss (Taranaki) questioned if a draw in the presence of three stewards was sufficient safeguard. He said he was not reflecting on the integrity of stewards, but contended jthe drawing should be public. In future no horse will be ordered to the starting post more than ten minutes before starting time. The remit was opposed by several country clubs, and an ameridment to alter the motion to 15 minutes before. starting time received support, but was lost.