CLAIMS FOR INCREASE IN NORTH ISLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 134, 3 December 1938, Page 22

CLAIMS FOR INCREASE IN NORTH ISLAND

(By "Ariki Toa.")

In recent years there has been much agitation in trotting circles for the alleviating of the present paucity of permits for light-harness racing, and it is to be hoped that some move will be made in this direction before the present term is brought to a conclusion.

During the depression period all clubs suffered to a great extent, and three, Northland, T e Aroha, and Hawke's Bay, gave up the struggle and handed in their permits. The Taranaki Club called a halt for the time but retained the permit, and, re-enter-ing the list last season, has made a good recovery. It is a matter for congratulation that the permits for the other three clubs were allowed to remain in the North Island. Wellington and Manawatu each received one day «°i I 1 1? while the Te Aroha and Northland dates remained in the Auckland Province, being used by the Wai + kato> Thames, and Cambridge Clubs as the New Zealand Trotting Conference saw fit to allocate. The position in Auckland is that only 17 days' trotting is allocated, 11 days being, held by the Auckland Trotting Club and the others spread between the Waikato, Thames, and Cambridge Clubs. Before the amalgamation of the Auckland and Otahuhu Clubs, Auckland raced on seven days and Otahuhu on four, all at Epsom. After the amalgamation the November date of two days was discontinued, and oneday meetings were instituted in April and August. The present position is that the club has to rely upon local representation, whereas an additional day at each meeting would prove advantageous in attracting candidates from the South Island.

NOW AT AWAPUNI.

While Cambridge and Thames can readily utilise the two floating permits, the Waikato Club, with its ideal trotting facilities, is worthy of an extra two days. Like the Auckland Club, Waikato has a splendid grass track. In this respect Wellington is well served, for it, too, possesses a grass track. Wellington has been agitating for additional permits for some time, but to date has yet to receive any consideration. Recognised as one of the leading metropolitan clubs it seems farcical that it should have only five days for racing at Hutt Park. It caters for most of the southern pacers and trotters, and it would prove advantageous to the light-harness sport if at least two or more days were allotted for trotting. PROVINCIAL. DATES. Outside Wellington nine days are held for trotting, two each by Manawatu, Wanganui, Hawera, and Wairarapa, and one by Taranaki. This makes a North Island total of 31 days' trotting out of 79 for the Dominion. In addition, the South Island is particularly well covered with trotting races on galloping programmes—a phase totally absent in the north—the number of races held by this method being equivalent to another jfifteen days' trotting.

Additional permits in the North Island, which, on a population basis, could carry considerably more than at present allotted, would prove an incentive to breeding. The plea is often advanced that trotting in the north does not show the same progress and development as in the south, and that the breeding industry is not in the same state. In spite of this, there has been an increase in the production of trotters and pacers in various parts of the North Island, but there is no doubt that a few more permits would have the effect of accelerating the industry. Auckland recently made inquiries, and the result was eminently satisfactory. Statistics showed that in the Wellington, Manawatu, Waikato, Auckland, and North Auckland districts there is increased activity. Mares of proved lines are in evidence, and, mated with the best sires, there should be some very promising stock in evidence in the-next few years.

The Manawatu, Wanganui, Hawera, and Taranaki Clubs have all turned the corner and are well into their stride. Last season saw each unit practically back to the happy position occupied before the depression, while this year's meetings further cemented the solidness.

The Hawera Club is up to metropolitan standard, and in a few years will be in a position' to cater for the best classes. The club is fortunate in having the Easter holiday dates, and

the day is not far distant when tha club's stalwarts will be strongly agitating for an extra meeting.

The Manawatu Club was handicap- , ped for many years through having to ' race at Ashhurst, but since returning to Awapuni a few seasons ago, the position has improved considerably. Taranaki made a remarkable re-entry last term, and the committee is already on the alert for an extra permit. At Wanganui the change of dates to the June holiday had the desired effect, and the club enjoyed a highly-success-ful meeting. The progress made of late by the West Coast clubs reflects public interest in the sport, which has grown in popularity in every part of the North Island, particularly in the West Coast districts.

The strength of the position of racing is shown in the 22 days at Ellerslie and Avondale, compared with 11 days at Epsom. Against 17 days' trotting there are 52 days' racing in the province. Taking the figures for the North Island, the 31 days for trotting look insignificant alongside the 152 for racing.

The scales are more evenly balanced in the South Island, where, as already mentioned, country clubs rely on assistance from trotting events. The strong position of trotting in the south, aided by ample opportunities, has entrenched the sport in public favour, with the result that the light-harness events play a prominent role when intermingled with races for gallopers. The position is entirely different in the north, where racing clubs are able to stand alone in the matter of pro^ moting attractions for the public. This was fully demonstrated some time back when the- Auckland Owners', Trainers', and Breeders' Association unsuccessfully approached country clubs on the question of including light-harness events on the programmes. It is fully realised that in their present happy position racing clubs cannot be expected to change their arrangements and that the South Island is entitled to retain its present permits, but the time has arrived when extra days! will have to be allotted to ithe north for light-harness racing. The sooner there is some move in this direction the better it will be for the progress of the sport.