TROTTING FACILITIES

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20744, 2 March 1939, Page 6

TROTTING FACILITIES

POSITION AT CLAUDELANDS NEW DIRT TRACK WANTED A. & P. EXECUTIVE APPROACHED With the object of securing improvements to existing training facilities for trotting at Claudelands. a deputation representing the Waikato Trotting Club, and comprising Messrs R. T. Reid, and I*. G. Harknesg, accompanied by Mr R. G. Howell, waited upon the executive of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association to-day. The president, Mr P. H. Clarkin, presided. Speaking for the deputation, Mr Reid stated that the trotting club had been requested by the Owners’ Breeders' and Trainers’ Association to Introduce a scheme for the Improvement of the facilities at Claudelands. There had been quite a number of complaints, he said, regarding the condition of the existing dirt track. Fast work was not possible on It, requiring trainers to go on to the grass for fast workouts. Progress of Trotting What the club desired was a new 15ft. dirt track on the inside of the grass track. Trotting, said Mr Reid, had gone ahead materially in the Waikato in tlie last two years and recent meetings had been very successful. In view of the coming racing Commission, the speaker stated, the Waikato Club would have a better chance of securing extra racing days If facilities were Improved, and the association would, In turn, reap the benefit. Tlie provision of a suitable dirt track would save the grass tracks and materially improve facilities from the trainers’ point of view. At present, the dirt track was useful only for Jogging. It might be argued against Dti scheme that the new track used in last work would create a nuisance. If such turned out to be the case, the Club would be quite pNpilMl to put the ground back in grass. The club would also undertake to have a waterI cart in attendance to abate any dust nuisance. Mr P. G. Harkness suggested that the association might well give the I scheme a trial. That was all the club asked. While the show was being held the club would be grass-cutting on the ground and the speaker suggested that those portions of the dirt track close to the occupied portions of the ground during show-time might be covered with fresh grass-clippings. Mr Harkness suggested that the scheme could easily be tried over next show period. If any nuisance resulted the track would be put back In grass. Cost of Improvements To a questioner, Mr Reid said the scheme would cost about £350 to £4OO, including necessary fencing and drainage. The club would also undertake. if necessary, to keep off thedfij t~ truck for a we ok before ttrp show to allow the track to consoli»iy>^ In thanking the deputation for Ttending, Mr Clarkin said that the association was always out to help the trotting club as much as possible. The club’s request would be gone Into thoroughly, since it was a matter of some importance to the association as well as to the club since the du6t unisance was a serious factor. The matter, however, would be considered thoroughly before a decision was given. After the deputation had withdrawn, it was decided, on the motion of Mr F. S. Veale, to defer consideration of the proposal until the committee met again next week.