2 NZ DIV TROTTING MEETING IN TRIESTE

Sergeant P. D. Clancy talks about gaining approval to and setting up of
a New Zealand 2nd Division Trotting Club meeting at the Montebellio
race course in Trieste, Italy on 9 June 1945.

There were 10-15,000 Kiwis at the meeting and New Zealanders
were drivers in several races. The running of the track was in the hands
of the Italians and the starts used the Austrian system of rolling
starts. The meeting was for trotters only, no pacers or saddle events.

Any horse breaking into a pace and gain's ground was disqualified
immediately by the loudspeaker system. Photographic equipment was used
to record the finish and placing of place getters of all races. Nine
thousand pounds was invested in stake money.

New Zealand drivers were Gunning, Thomas, McNeil, Francis, Conning,
England, Radford, McDonnell, Williams, Leary, Paul, Townley, Scott,
Washington, Chapman, Stowaway, Crookshank?, Stormont, Baker and Milne.

Commentaries were recorded on the running of the Senio Stakes, the
Cassino Handicap, Trieste Handicap, Faenza Stakes and finally the
last race of the day, the New Zealand Handicap.

Colonel A. W. Owen-Johnson, well known in racing circles in Southland,
summarises the days events and said that financially the meeting was an
entire success.