STAKES CRITICISED

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 34, 10 February 1931, Page 6

STAKES CRITICISED

TROTTINGr OWNERS COMPLAIN

Criticism of the Wellington Trotting Club's stakes.was made at the monthly meeting of the North Island Owners and Trainers' Association. Further complaints were received from members in connection with the reduction in the stakes by the Wellington Trotting Club for the novice class races from £200 to £115. Not taking into consideration the driving fees,, the net return to the winner is '£77, which was deemed inadequate when, takiug into 'consideration;! the. increase ;in stakes : for .the faster,, classes. , It was pointed out that there had ben no corresponding reduction in the 1 nomination and acceptance fees. It was decided to refer the matter to the New Zealand Trotting Association. It was contended by members, that •many cl'tibs did not give sufficient time after drawing up their programme to owners.aud trainers to prepare and place their liorbes. ; The lead of the Club in issuing their-programme for, the twelve months might be followed to advantage by the other clubs. J i The discarding of newspapers on courses on race days was considered; to be a menace to the safety o£ both drivers and horses, owing to the possibility of the papers being blown on to the course during the running of a race. It was decided to write to the clubs drawing their attention to the danger.