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ELECTRONIC TIMING

The New Brighton Trotting Club's Anzac Meeting on Monday will mark the introduction of electronic film timimg at Addington Raceway. The system has been developed in Invercargill by Jim Rogers and Bruce Gavin and is a refinement of the original equipment, which NZ Trotting Conference Secretary John Rowley presented a paper on at the World Trotting Conference in Rome two years ago.

The Invercargill Trotting Club was the first to use the system, but improvements over the years have seen the original equipment become virtually obsolete. The significant feature of Rogers and Gavin's equipment is that it enables them to record the time of every horse in the race, unlike other electronic systems in use throughout the world, which stop as soon as the winner's nose crosses the line. However, the system is nothing new to electronics, a similar one having been used at the Olympics for some 15 or 20 years. Indeed, it seems only a matter of time before electronic film timing is as widely accepted as manual timers have been for the last century.

The interest has been such that Rogers and Gavin have formed Race Finish Services, aside from their usual occupations. Rogers designs the cameras and generally look after the optics and developing of films, while Gavin specialises in the electronics. The system is basically a combination of photo finish filming and timing. For instance, in standing start events when the starter hits the lever, a high frequency signal is transmitted to a recording device in the photo finish box which triggers the electronic timer. The reflection of a digital timer is transposed on to the photofinish film and as each horse crosses the line, his individual time can be easily obtained.

For mobile events, a specially developed device throws a beam across the track at chest height at the starting point. The beam is light sensitive so as not to be triggered by the car or mobile barrier, and when broken by the horse's chest again activates the device in the same manner that pertains to the standing start, a signal is transmitted to commence the timing. Gavin initially discovered problems when using this device at night, the bright lights on the track causing irregularities, but this has since been solved.

Obviously, the main advantage of the system is its accuracy, a horse's time can be recorded down to 100th of a second, or less if necessary. In the past, where two horses have crossed the line within a nose of each other, in reality their time is the same down to one tenth of a second, but not to 100th of a second. The other main advantage is, of course, the accuracy of the placed horses' times as well. The equipment is easily portable and is available for rent rather than being purchased.

The possibilities for further improvements and variations are endless, depending on the needs of individual clubs. Added features, like a display board with the time progressing as the race in run, which would be of considerable interest in mobile mile, or time-trial events, would be pretty straightforward to install. Then that could be taken another step to display sectional times for the final 800 and 400 metres, etc. Similar systems are already widely used in Australia, America and Europe. At Harold Park in Sydney they've gone to the extent of setting up flashing lights at each quarter pole, a popular attraction for time-trial events. For example, if a horse is trailing to better 1:56, the lights flash at 29 second intervals.

Credit: Frank Marrion writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 19Apr83

COMPUTERISED BETTING INTRODUCED

Addington Raceway patrons took to trifectas like ducks to water when computerised betting came to the South Island last Saturday (9 July 1983). When betting figures for the day were tallied it was found that trifecta betting amounted to nearly one third of the total on-course turnover of $328,045.

The introduction of the pay-sell system to the South Island went off smoothly enough last Saturday - there was only one equipment malfunction - but the lack of problems was in no small part due to the small turnout of paying customers. Only 3800 turned out on a bleak, grey day and many of those departed the course when the rain set in after the seventh race.

The majority of punters adapted to the new system relatively quickly, and it was only early in the day, as punters and totalisator operators alike familiarised themselves with the new equipment, that delays occurred at the windows. Those punters unsure of the correct procedures could call on assistance from 20 hostesses spread around the course, who were quick to set them on the right course. Marilyn Hooper, who has been leading the hostess teams at the four courses coverted to the pay-sell system so far - Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua and now Addington - described the change over as "terrific". "Christchurch set a national record - 40% of all bets placed were as a result of people using the betting slips," Marilyn said. "This figure hasn't been approached at any other courses where the system is in use."

The betting slip enables the punters to mark their bets which are then fed directly into the totalisator equipment, rather than the patron having to call his or her bets to the operator. Not only does it lead to speedier operation (provided the form is filled in correctly), but it also gives the patron a degree of privacy.

Problems and delays did occur early in the day when punters failed to follow the correct procedure when placing their bets verbally, failing to call the bets in the correct sequence. However, as totalisator operators became more proficient as the day progressed, this problem soon receded. "The operators did better than I thought they would, and by the end of the day most of them were pretty confident with their machines," Marilyn said. "One or two of the operators were a bit slow, and some of the punters were also slow. However, I feel the promotion during the week helped everyone familiarise themselves with the system," she said, referring to the 'dummy run' held at Addington last Wednesday night. There operators had a chance to practice for the real thing as invited guests bet on video replays with 'funny' money.

There was only one machinery malfunction during the day when the pay-sell equipmentwent out of action for 20 minutes after the fifth race. Initially, the club decided to put back the entire programme 20 minutes, but soon after announced that the sixth race start would be delayed only 10 minutes. The start of race seven was delayed only five minutes, and by race eight the programme was back on schedule.

The largest trifecta during the day paid $2019.35, one of four that returned successful punters a four figure dividend. The smallest trifecta paid $53.75.

Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 12Jul83

ELECTRONIC TIMING

In July 1978 Mr R G Kennard presented his method of electronic timing to the NZ Trotting Conference and in April 1979 experiments on electronic timing were completed and a request made to operate a system on a trial basis under race day conditions at the Inter Dominion Championships. The question of costs to be clarified with the NZ Trotting Conference. In September 1982 Race Finishes Services Ltd quoted $160 per race, excluding operators fees, for the provision of electronic timing in conjunction with photo finish equipment provided it was used 70 times a year. This was approved in principle by the Committee and a demonstration of the equipment was held at the Trials on the 8th December 1982.

In March 1983 it was reported that the reliability of one camera was not entirely satisfactory and it was decided that two timekeepers should continue to be employed until the system was proved to be satisfactory. In July Mr A F McDonald of the New Brighton Trotting Club advised that an alternative method of incorporating the electronic timing with the photo finish was being investigated by Mr Brian Nairn. In August the Secretary stated that the photo finish electronic timing equipment was in operation and apart from the need to rule in the finish line on the photograph the system was working satisfactorily. In May 1984 it was reported that Messrs Gavin and Rogers would be trying out their new coloured photofinish camera in combination with the electronic timing equipment in late May. In October of that year it was reported that due to a delay in completing the new system to be operated by the Judge it could not be installed it was hoped until just prior to the Cup Meeting.

Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes Compiled by D C Parker

TURNSTILES

A new type of automatic turnstile, new to NZ at least, may soon be in operation on trotting and racing tracks in this country.

First developed in Australia by Automatic Totalisators Ltd, the automatic turnstile is now in widespread use throughout Australia, not only on racing and trotting tracks but at other major sporting venues. The automatic turnstile does away with the need for clubs to employ large numbers of gate staff to collect entrance money, and the model pictured was tested by the NZ Metropolitan TC at its two night National meeting this month.

Available either as permanent fixtures or as portable turnstiles, they offer great scope for racing and trotting clubs to save on costs. The turnstiles can operate either by patrons placing the entrance money directly into the coin block, or where admittance charges vary, by the use of tokens which can be purchased on the way in. The token system is the most commonly used on Australian trotting tracks where many New Zealanders are already familiar with the system.

At a time when all NZ trotting clubs are looking at ways of cutting costs, this new turnstile seems to offer wide scope for achieving this aim, particularly if clubs in the same areas were to get together to obtain the equipment in partnership.

First developed in 1959, the equipment has proved most successful and beneficial to clubs in Australia and it does not seem it will be long before NZ clubs adopt the same system.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 30Aug77

QUINELLA INTRODUCTION

Quinella betting is to be introduced at Addington Raceway at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club's meeting on Friday night, February 9.

This was announced on Monday in a joint statement from Mr T A Leitch, chairman of directors of Addington Raceway Ltd, and Mr P W Venning, South Island manager of NZ Totalisators Ltd.

Months of planning has gone into the introduction of quinella betting and approximately 30 selling machines will be installed throughout the course. This is possible by using extensive underground wiring. It is proposed to have certain windows selling both quinella and win and place tickets while other windows will sell quinellas only.

The quinella machinery is due to arrive in NZ shortly from Australia where it has been manufactured. The equipment is portable and can be used at other racecourses. The unit of investment will be $1.

Existing exchange doubles will be retained at the Canterbury Park meeting, and both the on-course and off-course conscession double will be in operation.

Credit: 'Lookaway' writing in NZ Trotting 23Dec72

LIVE TELECASTS START

Live telecasts of races will be inaugurated at the NZ Metropolitan TC's day meeting on Saturday when the NZBC will film three races.

This purely experimental broadcast, which will be reviewed after the meeting will film races six, seven and eight (the National Handicap, the Canterbury Stakes and the Winter Handicap). It is expected that the film for each race will last approximately 15 minutes. As well as filming the actual race, other items of interest such as the work of a farrier, inside the bar, birdcage scenes and horses doing their preliminaries are likely to be taken.

Four future meetings at Addington and one at Auckland are programmed to be filmed live during the remainder of the season. However, a definite decision regarding this will depend on negotiations between the Trotting Conference and the NZBC which will take place after Saturday's meeting.

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M W Grainger writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 27Aug69

Betting on-course rose by $14,684 to $220,810 at the NZ Metropolitan TC's meeting at Addington on Saturday, 23 August.

This rise on-course could primarily be attributed to the quest for the jackpot which undoubtedly attracted more on-course money. A side effect of this on-course money was reflected in the off-course betting which declined by $4043 down to $231,094. Generally the attandance seemed smaller than average, although the weather at least early in the day was miserable. It brightened considerably as the day wore on and by mid-afternoon the temperature was more than a shade warmer.

Another reason which may have limited the attendance was the initial telecast of three races which were filmed live early in the afternoon. From all accounts the filming seemed to be very popular and reports that have filtered back to me have left nothing but glowing praise for the innovation.

After a brief introduction by Ron Finlay, the cameras played on horses doing their preliminaries, birdcage scenes, a comprehensive film of the race called by Freeman Holmes and flashbacks, all of which seemed to be thoroughly appreciated by fireside viewers.

Obviously the live telecast of races at Addington last Saturday was not only a unique achievement in the Dominion but a successful one at that; to dispense with such a progression would be a retrograde step. It is to be hoped and furthermore expected that future talks between the NZBC and the Trotting Conference result in am amiable arrangement of terms suitable to both.

Credit: M W Grainger writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20Aug69

W F Stark

TRACK LIGHTING

Major lighting improvements that will cost an estimated $40,000 are to be carried out at Addington Raceway. The chaiman of Addington Raceway Ltd (Mr W F Stark) has announced that the directors, together with the committees of the Canterbury Park, New Brighton and NZ Metropolitan Trotting Clubs have decided that major improvements should be made to the track lighting at Addington Raceway.

The new track lighting installation, it is claimed, will make Addington Raceway among the top night trotting tracks of the world. The track is illuminated by clusters of floodlights positioned around the track at intervals of approximately 200 feet. Covering the front straight are six clusters of 25 floodlights each on poles 80 feet high, while the bends and back straight are covered by floodlights on 60 foot poles, three clusters of 21 floodlights on each bend and five clusters of 17 floodlights in the back straight.

The new scheme envisages the use of a recently developed lamp - the Multi-Vapour lamp. Three hundred and forty-three 1,000-watt lamps will replace the existing 1500-watt incandescent lamps. It is anticipated that the new lamps, while of a lower wattage, will give some three times more light than at present. Another advantage of the Multi-Vapour lamp is that, as well as giving greater efficiency, it has a life at least six times longer than the incandescent lamp.

Neeco Wholesalers Ltd have been entrusted with the planning of the new installation and this project, which it is estimated will cost over $40,000, will provide patrons with a better view of the racing, and the clear white light from the new lamps will make colours much more easily distinguishable. This installation, it is considered, will make Addington Raceway by far 'the brightest spot in Christchurch'. Parking areas and the areas around the stands are floodlit by 187 1500-watt incandescent lamps and it is not proposed to make any alteration to the ancillary lighting.

Addington Raceway is reputed to be the largest floodlit area in the Southern Hemisphere. The power supply is brought in on two feeder lines of 11,000 each, and the installation is so planned that if one line fails, half the lighting only will be affected. In the event of a total power failure the emergency stand-by plant, installed some years ago as a safety measure, supplies one 1500-watt lamp on each of the 17 poles and this will prevent a total blackout of the race track.

It is hoped that the new lighting installation will be completed prior to the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's Easter Meeting, which starts on March 22, 1969, but this is dependent upon the arrival of the lamps and other equipment in time.

The new lighting will, at night meetings, ensure the success of the Video Tape Film Patrol which has been installed in the interests of patrons. The increased light level will improve the quality of the taped picture which has greatly assisted the stipendiary stewards who can review the running of the race immediately after the finish. A high quality picture will in future be available at both day and night meetings.


Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 13Nov68

RACE FILMING

Race filming was introduced at Addington on Saturday 17 August, and although only one tower is at present available for a camera - it is situated at the Show Grounds end of the front straight - it has more than saiisfied the stipendiary stewards. "We have not had to use it today in any of our inquiries, but from what we have seen it has come right up to expectations," said Mr L A Butterfield, the chief stipendiary steward.

The film of the race, taken on video tape, is played back in the stipendiary stewards' room after each race, and when the other camera - on the top bend out of the back straight - is installed, it will allow complete coverage of racing.

Race filming is in vogue at Riccarton and Riverton in the South Island, but Addington is the first trotting course to have it installed, although it will be used later by some of the trotting clubs in Southland.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 21Aug68

CITY OFFICES

The NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club building on the corner of Oxford Terrace and Armagh Street, Christchurch, which has housed the staffs of the three Christchurch trotting clubs and the NZ Trotting Conference, for well over 40 years, was sold at auction last week for £38,500. The government valuation was £32,350.

The Christchurch trotting clubs now occupy ultra-modern new premises at Addington Raceway, and the Conference will shift to a new building on the Lincoln Road frontage of the Addington property next year.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 29Jun66

MAIN TOTALISATOR BUILDING

This building was situated in what is now the main car park facing the back of the Twiggers Stand.

The display board showed the approximate win and place dividends and the drivers and scratchings, as well as the total investments on the separate pools.

Investments were made from the windows at the front of the building with seperate batches of windows for 10/-, £1, £2, £5, £10 investment units. Successful investments were collected from the payout windows at ther back of the building.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 5Aug64