TRAINERS’ TROUBLES MAY TERMINATE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 128, 20 August 1927, Page 7

TRAINERS’ TROUBLES MAY TERMINATE

PROPOSED CONVERSION OF EPSOM SAND TRACK TO CINDER CIRCUIT T\7ITH the continued spell of bad * weather, the training tracks at Alexandra Park are in a sorry plight, and mentors find it impossible to attempt anything in the nature of speeding-up work. From the remarks of the president of the Auckland Club at the annual meeting there is hopes of a cinder track being formed, which should in the future obviate the present trouble. Jack Shaw, who returned from his successful trip to Christchurch on Tuesday, was a visitor to Alexandra Park on Wednesday morning, and judging by the disgusted look on his face, after a round of the track, he feit sorry that he did not remain in the South. A CRUISE ROUND At the invitation of the trainer of Jewel Pointer and Co., “Abaydos” accompanied him on another cruise of the circuit, and saw places where it was almost impossible for horses to get through, so deep was the mud and slush. The sand track is a misnomer, and unless a sound foundation is laid down, will be worthless. The main training track was also in a frightful state, through soil application at an ill-advised time. “Had it not been for having other horses under my care in Auckland,” said the Ellerslie mentor, “I would have Settled down South,” and indeed no one could blame Shaw for his feelings after viewing the quagmire on which horses are expected to be prepared. A WHITE ELEPHANT It is a pity that the Auckland Club has been so unfortunate with this track, which cost over £I,OOO to put down. It may have been an experiment, but if so was a costly one, despite the fact that the “sand track” appears on the assets side of the bal-ance-sheet at £1,154 10s. There is no doubt that the management of this progressive organisation was quite honest in its intentions toward owners and trainers when the track was laid down, but subsequent results have proved that the sand scheme was an ill-advised one. the foundation being unsuitable for its reception and retention. NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND “It’s never too late to mend,” and with commendable spirit the Auckland Club evidently intends putting the old adage into practice. During his presidential address to members assembled on Thursday afternoon Mr. J. Rowe referred to this question, pointing out that the club, being anxious to do everything possible to assist owners and trainers, had, at considerable expense, and after careful thought and inquiry, put down the sand track for training purposes. The president regretted to say, however, it had not proved a great success. CONVERSION TO CINDER TRACK Continuing, Mr. Rowe intimated that the committee was going very fully into the question, and was at the present juncture considering the advisability of converting the derelict track into a cinder one, which he understood from experts would ensure a perfect training track for winter conditions. This pleasing piece of information will be jubilantly received by the lightharness fraternity. If put down correctly, it will be there for all time, a boon to owners and trainers, a further monument to the progressiveness of the Auckland Club, and an incentive to more owners and trainers to enter the realms of the sport, and may even act as an inducement to others to make Auckland their headquarters.