Ellerslie Comes Under The Critic's Eye

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 249, 11 January 1928, Page 7

Ellerslie Comes Under The Critic's Eye

The following caustic comment is culled from a recent issue of the ’ Dominion'*:— " ‘Beautiful Ellerslie’ is a common phrase in the Auckland newspapers, and beautiful it certainly is from a horticultural viewpoint. It all depends whether you want a racecourse to be a place whereon to race horses and give them a fair opportunity to win, or to be known as a public resort to be pointed out with pride to visitors on days when racing is not held. 'The fact that ‘we have the finest collection of orchids south of the Line’ . cuts very little ice with the racegoer whose horse is unable to hit out as he should do on account of the rough trapk. The remarks of trainers on the condition of the track this holiday period would make interesting reading if printed—or printable. A little more practical work at Ellerslie at the expense of the sentimental is called for.” REVENUE FROM RACING The Wellington critic but echoes the opinions held by local owners and trainers when he infers that the money, or the major portion of it, at present devoted to the erection of orchid houses and to the upkeep of the horticultural displays at the Ellerslie racecourse should be transferred to what one might call the course account, for upkeep of the racing v and training tracks, stands, and general improvements thereto etc. It is accepted as a general principle in most forms of sport that the revenue received from this source should be put back for the purpose of furthering that sport. In Rugby football, for instance, some unions provide for this in their rules. Why should racing be different? BEAUTIFUL—BUT COSTLY One cannot but admire the beautiful gardens at Ellerslie, which are probably without compare in any part of the world. And yet, like so many ;

others, the writer is of the the opinion that these gardens should be taken over by the City Council and maintained by the civic authorities instead of being such a heavy charge against racing. That is the attitude taken up by those directly concerned with racing, and unconnected with its management, locally, at anyrate. In some respects the Auckfcind Raccannot be altogether blamed for the state of the course during the recent meeting. For a fortnight prior to the fixture commencing the city water supply was cut off. and in consequence the tracks could not be hosed, with the result that, owing to the peculiar nature of the soil, the course became parched and got rough in parts. Even Trentham or any other course would have fared badly under the conditions that have been prevailing at Ellerslie during the past few weeks. GARDENS WITHIN REASON As the position stands at present, however, it is practically a certainty that the tracks would not have been quite so bad had there been spent on them some of the money that was used in maintaining the fine horticultural display. Racing clubs delight in possessing beautiful grounds attached to their courses, but there is always the danger of this being overdone. Seeing that the subject has now been brought into prominence, it would appear that the time has arrived for a change of policy on the part of the Auckland Racing Club. If these exquisite gardens are to be kept for the city, let the civic authorities step in, and, if they are not prepared to take them over in their ready-made condition, then the least they could do would be to contribute handsomely to the cost of upkeep and not let the Auckland Racing Club “carry the baby” in order to cater for the thousands of visitors who always include a journey to Ellcrslie in their itinerary. —EARLY BIRD.