UNRULY HORSES AT BARRIER

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27396, 8 July 1954, Page 4

UNRULY HORSES AT BARRIER

COMPLAINT BY NEW BRIGHTON CLUB

The problem of horses breaking at the start of races was getting out of hand said Mr T. E. Johnston (New I Tighten). when discussing a letter from his club at the annual meeting ©f the New Zealand Trotting Conference in Christchurch yesterday. The letter suggested that the conference should consider adopting some method of penalising horses which were unruly at the start of races. During the current season, from

August 8 until January 1. 700 horses had broken at the start of races, said Mr »Johnston That meant that, for the season, the total would be about 1400. Stern measures were taken in

Australia. He thought that perhaps wider powers could be given to stipendiary’ stewards. In its letter, the club asked the conference to consider the problem of drivers keeping their horses on the move at the barrier, and attempting to anticipate the start. This occurred on metropolitan courses as well as on country courses, said Mr Johnston.

It was also suggested by the club that stipendiary stewards should give more attention to the start of races. Mr Johnston submitted that there should be one stipendiary steward oi patrol steward at the start of races

Stipendiary stewards had ample powers to take action against unruly horses, said the president 'Mr A. L. Matson). Often horses which had shown unruliness at the start of their early racing and developed into highclass performers. At a New Brighton meeting last season, a horse had drawn No. 1, and although it had not caused any trouble it had been sent to the outside by the starter, said Mr W. J. Murray (Marlborough). On that occasion the starter had been spoken to, said Mr Matson. The letter was received.