EPSOM TRAINING TRACK

NZ Truth, Issue 1180, 12 July 1928, Page 15

EPSOM TRAINING TRACK

Why Visiting Horses Take Away Most "of the Money , (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) THE expensive sand track at Alexandra Park does not foot the bill for what it was intended.

IN laying it down, the intention was to provide trainers with a suitable winter . or wet-weather training quarter. The result is that it is not only a failure, but is practically a white elephant. Ther-e is no, getting away from the fact that a track which can be worked upon m all weathers is badly needed at Epsom, for the wet conditions experienced m the north during the winter generally find local horses not ready to chase the cash m the month of June. The outcome is. that instead of Auckland owners getting the necessary , cash to carry them on till the spring, the visiting horses get most of the dough. This is a fact that cannot be chal- | lenged, for a .perusal of the distribution of stakes at Epsom throughout the season, shows that horses trained m that locality and at Mangere, where the training conditions are approximately the same, earn next door to nothing m the winter months. Last season competitors trained on those tracks earned over £20,000, but only about £ 2000 of ,that amount was won at the Auckland winter meeting. This season Epsom horses have won about the same amount as last, over £10,000, but only £940 was won at the meeting just past. ' . ■ - As Gold Jacket got £650 of that, there wasn't a great lot left for the others. , Mangere horses have this term accounted for £4100, but they only got £550 at the Auckland winter meeting, visitors from other parts going merrily home with close on £5500, as well as. getting over £29,000 for the season m Auckland. . These figures prove conclusively

that Auckland . horses are up against it m wet weather, probably for one reason only — the absence of a decent wet-weather training track. This state of affairs will continue until a move is made, to bring matters to ."boiling point," when ways and means are considered of improving the present unsatisfactory conditions. There has been a lot of talk about the benefits of a cinder track and how suitable it would be at Epsom, but if the Auckland club ever -seriously considers putting one down at Alexandra Park it would probably, be advisable to get some expert advice on the matter, thus avoiding the mistake . made when they decided upon the sand track. •■.:" -' .• In Perth, Western Australia, they view crushed shell as one of the finest materials for a track workable m all weather. If "N.Z. Truth" remembers correctly, they have such a track there that is pleasing all connected with the sport. .This is mentioned just to 6how that there are suitable materials other than cinder, and getting the best, even though the cost may be ' high, is money well spent. \ However, it is possible that Auckland club will .at least consider the position, more v so as it is retaining the winter meeting on next season's programme. Black Admiral is on holidays, and will not be put into work again until after the August meeting. * --..*■ '.# . Great Bingen piled on condition during his vacation, and now is m regular work with a view; to -being right at the top of his fornv. for November racing.