THE THAMES RACES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5048, 5 November 1926, Page 4

THE THAMES RACES.

CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS; DEFECT IN COURSE ALTERED. There was ,a lot of talk at Parawai on Saturday as, to the cause of the 'railing of three horses in the first two races at .the turn at the of the straight (states, the Thames Star). When the start of the third race was delayed, whilst a false rail was being placed in position, it was realised that gqmething was wrong, and an investigation disclosed that the had been caused by a defect in the course.

The defect lies at the turn into the straight.

It seems that the ground directly underneath is the functionary point ; for a network of underground tile drains. After rain they become overloaded, and the water is forced to the surface, forming more or less a swamp. This has been going on for a considerable time. Efforts to induce the Thames Borough Council to improve the drainage of the affected area proved unavailing, owing, it is reported, to objections from native landowners in the vicinity of the course.

On Friday last water was lying on the surface, and the depression was filled with sand. Later in the day the sand washed out hjid the depression was again filled. The first sign of trouble came when Mr H. McCoy’s Pepin injured a fetlock when negotiating the turn In a working gallop, and could not be started at the meeting.

Rounding the turn in the Thames Handicap Hurdles the leader, Royal Form, lost his feet and brought down Kawa, whose rider, Warner, sustained a broken leg. Qpinkama fell at the turn during the progress of the next race. The Judicial Committee:, .after consultation on the spot with-the Stipendiary Steward, then caused a guard rail .to be. placed in position at an angle calculated to avoid, the depression.

Though the rail was responsible for some wide swinging by some of the bigger horses, there were no further falls at this point, and the prompt action of the; club w,as commendable under the circumstances.

On Sunday morning the turn was again inspected by the Committee, in company with several owners and trainers. It was. decided to widen the bend considerably, and thus do away with the guard rail. A prominent member o<fl .the Committee told a “Star” representative that the attention of the Club had been drawn to the possible' danger of accident at this turn some months ago, but, apparently, the advice was not taken very .seriously. As 1 was but natural, under the circumstances, several owners and trainers made seme forcible comments on the state of the course, and, in some cases, stated their disinclination to start their horses on the second day. O.thei- trainers and jockeys emphatically stated that the course is not suited to the right-handed way of going, and that the club should revert to the old order of things, namely, race the left-handed way round. On the other’ hand, it is fairly certain that had rain not fallen on the preceding days there would have bepn nothing to .complain of. It should be noted that trainers and owners, generally, do not regard the course unfavourably. They say the course is perfectly safe (excepting, off course, for the spot referred to), and that the turn into the straight is not dangerous. One reason given for a. reversion to the left-handed way o® going is that there is also a depression going out df the straight where the horses are obliged to race downhill', which tejnds to make the field run wide.

Altogether, it was. an unfortunate business, and certainly marred the pleasure of the day for. .the Club officials, who, however, acted with promptitude in putting matters right when the trouble was realised and have taken further effective remedial measures to ensure the success of future racing.