AUSTRALIA ALSO MOVES

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 33, 7 August 1936, Page 13

AUSTRALIA ALSO MOVES

It is a coincidence that just as the minimum weight' has in effect been raised 71b to 7.7 in New Zealand an agitation should be under way in, Australia with a similar end in view, In the Commonwealth the present minimum is .6.7, but a rise to 7.0 is being urged on the racing authorities. AuSr tralian boys grow so rapidly between the time when they, are apprenticed to a stable and when they have finished their apprenticeship that many of them find it difficult to ride lower than 7.7. Owners are chary of giving inexperienced lads a mount, so that, unless they are among the fortunate minority who can do 6.7, a great majority, go right through their apprenticeship withvery little race-riding experience.. Another matter that is being brought up is the introduction in Australia of" special races for apprentices. This is a direction in which New Zealand has already set an example. These apprentice races give the. lads a chance of displaying their ability, without the' disturbing influence of experienced opponents. The scheme works well in New Zealand* and if it were adopted in Australia it would assist in the training of promising young riders. While they are neglected, as is the case in Australia at'present, the lads miss opportunities of proving whether they are likely to make jockeys or not.