ROUGH RIDING IN RACES.

NZ Truth, Issue 75, 24 November 1906, Page 2

ROUGH RIDING IN RACES.

To the ordinary individual it would appear that a jockey's occupation is anything but free- from danger, even when all is fair and square m the running of a race. In almost every race that is run there is sure to be an element of danger, either at the harrier or later on m the .-journey. Perhaps the riders over country have by far the worst of the deal, but no doubt there are cases y/hen a voyage on a -^od jumper is'- a deal more desirable lhan the position of pilot i'or a two-year-old colt. When a big Jield appears to contest 'a five or six furlon-- "race, it usually happens that the. winner springs from the division which leaves the barrier smartly. A good position m such a race is almost everything. . Now, m the ordinary course, the tusslu for position would ! entail ':.•. certain amount of humping, ;-.nil as* llic tracks arc not always m jmrfeel; order nor well shaped, this 'Inimpi'liK 'iS'fi'juipM a certain a-, mount of ■cteflfser to horses. and riders. Of unifst'- Mio ■ majority of jockeys r.'cr>n.ni?;tv J ,hi;; «vnd are content to do their' bc'sfc W -l-fvloji/r as few risks as 'possible,,-', but. cKteajiipnally. cases of 'fWiii rid iu\ occur which, when .detected. >li'julvi l:c punished- severely. - " '•■^fiiutM-itl'. 1 fK-culenAs may happen UH'KKrb the ju'/xperience of* some --out', v'.ito. htiJi. not v.'orn the white h' hwehes too of ten • but oven m a

| case of this kind a penalty would aot be out of place, for it would be a necessary part of the boy's education. There are, besides the inexperienced youth referred to, a number of youngsters with swelled heads who like to 'do all sorts of flash feats without (riving a tfhoupht for the consequences. When one of these little rummies gets into any trouble or is responsible for any mischief the stewards-' should come down on him m a manner that would be a poser for the youth himself, and a lesson to others of his kind. Another class of jockey that requires sharp treatment is the one that imbibes too freely on race days. Fortunately" for all concerned this cla^s of horseman is not often met with, but he is certainly the least desirable. It would perhaps be- difficult .to devise a means of preventing intoxicated jockeys from taking part m races. Probably the only effective way would ( be to place the riders m a line before every race and detail a steward to

smell their breaths; .but the majority of the jockeys would object to this —to say nothing of the stewards ! Some good might, be effected by attaching responsibility to trainers to see that their horsemen went, out with a clear head. Lastly, there are jockeys who are continually looking for trouble and are prepared to do anything to an opnosinc: mount, provided they feel safe themselves. The onh- proper punishment for such offenders is to put them out for all time. Stewards of Racin'p- Clubs should never hesitate about dealing severely with all cases of foiil riding and there should not he any leniency when the offence is clearly proved. Were all offenders dealt with as their case demanded, it might he the saving of life m one or two instances, and m numerous others a prevention of serious accidents.