FORBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 19804, 1 March 1928, Page 14

FORBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB

MEETING OF COMMITTEE A meeting of the committee of the For bury Park Trotting Club was held last night, there being present Messrs B. S. Irwin (president, in the chair), T. Fogg, G. J. Barton, T. Elliott, John Mitchell, R. Telfer, James Mitchell, T. T. Ritchie, It. M. Greenslade, A. Clark, W. J. L. Conghlan, A. G. Neill, and James Black.

A letter was received from the Otago and. Southland Horse Owners and Breeders’ Association stating that at a meeting of the association the matter of the elimination of trotters’ saddle races from the club’s programme had been discussed, and it had been decided to ask if the club could see its way to reinstate at least one saddle event on future programmes. The association had been requested to make the appeal by several Southland owners, as well as by owners in the Otago district, who would always be pleased to support the event.

Mr Barton said that these saddle races were dying out. Mr James Mitchell said he thought they should have these unhoppled trotters’ races for saddle in their programmes. Mr Barton maintained that the sulky events provided the liest • racing- * . Mr Ritchie said that m the past the saddle races for trotters had proved very disappointing.; The saddle races were nevertheless favored by owners in the country, as these owners could ride their horses. After some discussion Mr James Mitchell moved—“ That the Tnhuna Handicap bo again for saddle this year, as against the Programme, Committee’s recommendation that the race should be in sulkies.” Mr Conghlan seconded the motion, which was lost by a large majority. A letter was received from the New Zealand Trotting Association asking upon what special grounds the committee had recommended that Mr Carling’s protest fee should ho refunded. Mi' Carling (owner of Wattle Patch) protested against Peter Boy _ being placed second at the recent meeting on the point that Peter Boy was alleged to have galloped during the race. The association’s letter also stated that under rule 310, in the event of an objection not being sustained, the “deposit shall be forfeited.”—The Chairman said that tlio protest had been a belated one. Carling really did not appear to know much about the occurrence, and had been urged to take action by the driver of Wattle Patch, who finished third. The offence was really on the border line; and, after hearing evidence, the Judicial Committee had dismissed the protest. Carling, however, had been quite justified in lodging his protest.—lt was decided that the secretary (Mr Caffin) reply to the association on the lines of the chairman’s statement.

Mr Black (the treasurer) submitted a statement regarding the finances of the club, and, on behalf of the Finance Committee, recommended the payment of accounts amounting to £430. The Secretary reported that he had replied to the Oamaru Racing Club, stating that the club should get Mr Brinkman to.,handicap the trotting events for the first day at the 'forthcoming meeting, and appoint somebody else (m his absence) to act in regard to the second day’s handicaps. The question of accepting a tender for the installation of a new plateglass window at the end of the stewards’ stand, facing the totalisator totals' board, was referred to the chairman of the Works Committee. Five tenders were received.

Mr Greenslade submitted a report from the Programme Committee. ft had been instructed to cut clown the stake money by £330, and he thought the committee had carried out its work satisfactorily. The Prince of Wales’ Handicap for the first day of the Winter Meeting would carry a stake of £6OO, and the Victory Handicap ou the second day would carry a similar stake. The class for the Beach Handicap had been altered from 2.18 to 2.17, the Pacific Handicap from 2.18. to 2.17, and the Peninsula Handicap (trotters) from 4.41 to 4.42. Mr Greenslade gave details of the other small reductions in the stakes in various events. In answer to a question why the class for the Peninsula Handicap had been loosened by one second, Mr Greenslade said that it had been tightened up last meeting, and it was now being loosened again. The Chairman moved that the question of continuing the New Zealand Sires’ Produce Stakes be referred to the. Programme Committee, the committee to come to a decision after the next meeting. The committee was also instructed to go into the question of placing a three-year-old pacers’ race ou future programmes, this matter to be also considered after the next meeting.—The motion was carried. Mr James Mitchell, chairman of the Works Committee, was. instructed to visit the park, and ascertain whether the hare escapes at the south end of the ground interfered with a full view of the racing. The opinion of members was that the escapes did interfere with the view. It was decided to start the first race at the Winter Meeting at 11.15 a.m., and the last race at 4.30 p.m. The chairman and Messrs James Mitchell, James Black, A. Clark, and A. G, Neill were appointed the Judicial Committee for the meeting.