MAN BEHIND THE BIG GUNS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 202, 15 November 1927, Page 10

MAN BEHIND THE BIG GUNS

WHANGAREI R.C. PRESIDENT SCHEME OF COURSE IMPROVEMENTS There is no gainsaying the fact that of the numerous race meetings in the province, and outside the city of Auckland, for popularity the Whangarei Club has set a standard that will take a lot of beating. ’\T7’HAT is it that makes the Whangarei Racing Club's fixtures so successful? It is not its Kensington racecourse. Unlike many racing bodies, Whangarei is just as popular in its home town, this rising city of the North, as it is in the surrounding districts, as well as in Auckland City. It is not the mere face that it is the Whangarei Racing Club that makes it so. But one of the principal reasons is that, at the head of affairs, stands a gentleman who knows everything that is to be learned in the way of conducting a race meeting. WINNING THE PUBLIC The success of a race meeting is by no means gauged by the rise or fall of the totalisator returns alone. Many clubs appear to be under this impression. Totalisator figures in themselves are distinctly illuminating, and the main source of revenue, for by the investments the amount of stake money to be allocated is arrived at. But in the first instance a racing club has to attract the public, who provide the money for betting operations. This is where Whangarei scores heavily. For instance, the population of the town is said to be a little over 6,000, and just about this number must have been present last Saturday, and on Thursday the attendance was about 5,000. A GOOD LEADER The members of the committee of the Whangarei Racing (Hub are all fine workers, and they are exceedingly fortunate in having as their president Mr. R. Hosking, a splendid and enthusiastic leader, whose genial personality is as striking as were the rays of Old Sol on Saturday. He is always on deck to extend the handshake of hearty welcome to visitor and townsman. At once the visitor is made at home. Trainers and stable boys in charge of horses are paid special attention upon arrival in the pretty Northern centre. They are always met by officials with urns of steaming coffee and food, which is greatly appreciated after a long and usually weary journey cooped up in horseboxes. Everything is done to make the travellers comfortable both when they arrive and upon leaving on the return journey. Through it all one can trace the thoughtfulness and the genius for organisation possessed by the president of the Whangarei Club. COURSE IMPROVEMENT Whangarei officials are fully aware of the shortcomings in their racing track, which is very small—-it Is a little under seven furlongs round —but, like every other country club in the Dominion, the northern club has been hampered by a lack of firstly finance, and secondly available ground, to increase the size of the course. However, the Whangarei Club has purchased about four acres of land adjoining the top of the course, and this will enable the track to be extended in a way that should improve it considerably. With the extra area, it will be possible to move the six furlong barrier to near the present entrance gates to the course, and this will give the horses a straight run of nearly three furlongs along the back, with a run up the home stretch, for about a furlong and a-half, and probably a little more. This removal of the old six furlong barrier will be a very necessary improvement. STEADY PROGRESS Several minor improvements have already been effected, most notable being the increased accommodation to the birdcage, and a fine roomy path for pedestrians from the main entrance gate. This path has already been bordered with lawn and plants, and by the time the autumn meeting comes round this portion of the racecourse should present a pretty sight. Despite the many handicaps by which it has been faced, the Whangarei Racing Club is making f&eady progress, and before long it should possess one of the best racecourses outside of the centres. It will take time and money to accomplish the full programme of improvements that the committee has in view, but with Mr. Hosking at the head of affairs these matters will never bo allowed to flag. In the meantime, however, there is no danger of Whangarei meetings losing their great popularity with racing folk from far and wide.