WITHOUT AVAIL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 108, 28 July 1927, Page 6

WITHOUT AVAIL

MAMAWATU SUFFERS THOSE DATES ONCE MORE As the allotment of racing dates this year has caused a good deal of discussion, it would seem fair to give the Manawatu Racing Club an opportunity of stating its case. The Manawatu Racing Club, with classic races on its programme, has a just grievance, for 26th and 28th April, the dates now allotted, are too late in the season. The Manawatu Club has been sacrificed in the interests of the Rangitikei Racing Club, the standing of which cannot compare with that of Manawatu. The president of the Manawatu Racing Club made the following statement, without avail, to the Dates Committee of the Conference; “In making our application for the dates following Wellington, March 21 and 22, we wish to do so without any personal feeling as regard the Rangitikei Club, but to emphasise the fact that we do so purely, first, in the best interests of racing, and second, to save the expenses owners are put to, and also the inconvenience and danger of keeping young horses in training for too long a period. CATER FOR THE BEST “You will agree that the standard of racing is maintained by those clubs who cater for -the best class of horses, and clubs who place classical races on their programmes, very often at a financial loss to themselves, should be considered first, and the owners of this class of horse, which in all cases are valuable animals, should be encouraged, because both the club and the owner are endeavouring to improve the standard of racing. The Racing Conference exists for the same purpose, and we are following the ethics set out by that body which governs the sport. “The main contention of the Rangitikei Club is that since their permit to race was reinstated they have always raced on or about March 25, but in answer to this we say we have always raced the week after Wellington, since 1901 —26 years—and our date has always given satisfaction to the owners referred to, whereas a later date in the season is inconvenient -to owners of young horses for many reasons, which you as racing men will appreciate. The

week following our suggested dates Avould be equally as good for Rangitikei. TOO LATE FOR CLASSICS “When classic races are held at the end of the season you will realise the response is not so good, as owners will not take the risk of a young horse racing over a longer period than necessary, and any trainer will tell you if he has to let up a young horse during training, he cannot give him severe winding-up gallops to get him at the top of his form quickly again. This is a sound reason why classic races should follow one another within reasonable time. “Many owners of classic horses have told us that they want these races over as early as possible in the season so they can put their young horses out, and those of you who have owned horses will quite agree with them. Last year the Wellington Club gave £8,900 in stakes at their March meeting and Manawatu £5,270, and it is to the benefit of owners and these clubs that horses should have the chance of winning at Manawatu and perhaps recoup the owners who are unsuccessful in Wellington. CURTAILING STAKES

“The Manawatu Racing Club, like other clubs, is suffering from a falling revenue, and having'established these races for many years, are desirous of fostering the best interest of sport. If unsuitable dates are given us it might be necessary to curtail our stakes, which we are very loath to do. “In conclusion, the Manawatu Club is not out to. make money—it could easily do that by putting on hack races instead of the classics—but out to encourage those owners who give high prices for their horses and others who make valuable importations of stallions and bloodstock into the Dominion and thus assist what the Conference exists for.”