AN IRON HAND WANTED

NZ Truth, Issue 1179, 5 July 1928, Page 13

AN IRON HAND WANTED

Smouldering Public Belief That Control Is Loose

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Representative.) . DTJBLIC opinion is smouldering' with the belief that the control of trotting m New Zealand is a loose and unsatisfactory commodity. \

IT. is certainly very obvious that if this simmering opinion cannot be offset by drastic and more rigid control, the ensuing conflagration will spell disaster for trotting m this country. ' Despite this public belief, annual reports from the Conference downwards have frequently, been full of wonderful optimism regarding the allegedly high pedestal i to which the "heads" hav6 elevated the lightharness game. But the danger about a dazzling picture, shimmering ', m the sun-. light on the horizon, is that it may be a mere mirage. That is what we have to see — the substance of the picture which has been painted m such gaudy colors. It is no exaggeration to state that there are many sportsmen to-day shrinking from entering the ranks of trotting owners because they honestly do not like the look of the game. "N.Z. Truth" has met some of these "potentials," who have been on the verge, of giving it a "go," but kept away from it after delving deeply intofacts and results. The sportsmen referred to have long been .connected -.with tjie ; galloping game as owners, and while on this phase of the ' .questjdn, it stands out as a prominent fact up north that for some time a party of leading trotting Officials have been financially interested m a stud • farm m the breeding ot the galloper rather than the lightharness production. Keen obseryersjtake this to mean that even some of the trotting heads look upon the galloping game with more sincerity and security than their own branch of the sport. There can be.no doubt .that the trotting game is generally regarded • with some doubt, and' there is the danger

that a limited few of the participators may just overstep the mark and kill it, if the halter of more disciplined control is not brought along. . It is admitted- that frprn the spectacular viewpoint m recent years trotting and pacing have been worked up to a reasonable grade. But that is not all. ' ' . From the speculative viewpoint, however, patrons have little assurance that the game is always played fair, and it would be well if the heads would realize that stronger efforts must be made to keep the pastime above suspicion. \ ■ The appointment of stipendiary stewards is certainly farcical if the officers are, to be mere figured-heads, and the general impression is that they, could not get far at present if they desired to sheet home any/alleged inconr sistency. The many ways of the non-trier, should be treated as acts of incompetency and definitely made punishable by suspension m preference to fines. ' No excuses should be taken when it is a case of comparing losing and winning performances which will not tally. ' ' There is need for firmness.The impression is gradually gaining ground that the public which risks its cash at the trots has very" Uttle chance under the present inadequate control. If that impression became really general it will only be a matter of time before trotting goes downhill. . Shady tactics can be detected* much easier m galloping than trotting. Therein Jies one reason w]h,y the average punter does not regard wagering at the trots with the same confidence as at the gallops. . The authorities can do a lot to. force the opinion that they will stand for no hanky -"panky tricks.