“KEEP OFF THE GRASS"

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 182, 22 October 1927, Page 7

“KEEP OFF THE GRASS"

SIGN NOT PULLED DOWN NEW POSITION CREATED 1 UCKLAND trainers are not only up against it the greater part of the season, through adverse weather conditions, which seriously affect the training track, but they are unable to give their charges a run on the grass, although expected to race on the turf. Once again the question of allowing horses engaged at the Auckland fixtures to have a trial run on the grass has been before the committee, and again the result has been the same—nothing doing. Although “Abaydos” lias been a strong advocate in favour of giving candidates engaged at the local meetings a run on the turf, he must agree

with the decision arrived at by the committee on the eve of the fixture. To open the track at the eleventh hour would not have benefited the contestants to any extent, and making it available for Derby candidates only would have opened up a. big argument, and probably led to a lot of trouble. AN AWKWARD POSITION The last decision of the executive appears to have been pretty definite and there seems no chance of the track being opened on any other than race days. But a new situation has arisen—cm* that may still lead to trouble. During the preliminaries for the Remuera Handicap on Wednesday, it was noticed that a hoppled candidate was in the field among the free-legged brigade. The colours w*ere those of Luvan, and investigation proved that the pacer was being given a preliminary for education purposes. It was the Alan o’ War —Miss Rolfe filly, Medusa, and the young lady behaved herself admirably. DANGEROUS PRECEDENT But permission being granted to the owner of the filly has established a dangerous precedent and in future it may be quite a common occurrence to see maidens, who are not taking part in the fixtures, given a work-out on the day. If all owners arc to be treated alike, well and good, but if it is a case of making fish of one and flesh of another, it will not improve the position between owners, trainers and the club. This latest procedure may have the effect of opening up the grass trials question again, and give those who support the affirmative a stronger lever with which to bring pressure to bear towards attaining their objective.

TROTTING FIXTURES October 22-24.—Greymouth T.C. October 24.—Oamaru T.C. November S-10-11.—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. November 19-23.—Otahuhu T.C. November 25-26. —Forbury Park T.C. December 3.—Waikato T.C. December 10—Northland T.C. December 15-17.—New Brighton T.C.