LIFE AND LIMB EVER IN DANGER

NZ Truth, Issue 1149, 8 December 1927, Page 13

LIFE AND LIMB EVER IN DANGER

Absence of Straight Stretches Is Responsible for Big Majority of Accidents ON THE HOME TURNIVHERE DEATH LURKS

THE Takapuna Club may possibly be considered unfortunate over the White Wings incident. It is admitted Reilly's death was the result of an accident, pure and simple, with no blame attachable to any other rider or horse m the race. The mere faot that there was loss of life, however, reopens the whole question of whether the course really meets with requirements m these days of large fields. Men of years' experience are emphatic that it does not, and one of the officials who govern racing m this country declared to "N.Z. Truth" last week that "the place should be shut up."

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still other country tracks, have even sharper bends than any at Takapuna. But, when comparison is made m the matter Of fatalities, Takapuna compares most unfavorably with any of the tracks mentioned. It is realized that falls are always likely (even at Ellerslie). Though there are sharp bends m and out of the straights at Te Aroha, Paeroa and other country courses, pn all these tracks there are longer stretches of straight going. These allow horses to become thoroughly balanced before negotiating bends. Such is not the case at Takapuna. This seems to be the whole cause of the trouble across the harbor, where the track is altogether of too turning a nature. In large fields of the present day it is one continual rush for, horses to gain favorable positions for the home turn and the short straight run to the post. Most of the serious trouble at Takapuna of late years has been experienced m the rush across the stretch just prior to the home bend. On the same afternoon that Bob Reilly met his end two other horses stumbled within easy distance of the same spot. There is no desire that the Takapuna Jockey Club should lose its identity, and, m fact, trainers, owners and the racing public alike do not. wish for such action. But the general belief is that racing is not entirely satisfactory — m other words, safe — on the track at Devonport. Experts were called into action some few years back to attempt to remodel the course, and after these improve-

lUlllllllillllllliiiiiiiiiniilillliillilllltllliliiitllllMllllllillillilillMllllllllillllllimilliiiniiitliiiliuiiijinnmi iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiitiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir ments were brought about it was evidently declared reasonably safe. Even after these improvements were made, falls m hurdle races were evident, and it was .d.ecided to delete obstacle events altogether. Now on top of all this another jockey has lost his life through mishap — while riding on the fiat. It is quite possible that the same 'thing might have happened on a more roomy track than Takapuna, but perhaps not so probable. And certainly not for three horses to have stumbled m such short time m one day's racing. This is what the Takapuna club is up against m attempting to make out a really strong case that T&kapuna compares favorably with the majority of other race tracks. Though the Takapuna course is about a mile m circumference, the diagram phows that there are few straight runs of more than a furlong. This means that it is one long hustle for favorable positions throughout — that is, if victory is hoped for. Unless track conditions are such as to give all horses a reasonable and equal chance of success, then such tracks must be termed unsatisfactory. Patrons, . owners, trainers and jockeys have realized for years past that m ninety cases out of one hundred, horses, to win, have to be favored with all the luck at Takapuna. This, despite the fact that six first favorites won across the harbor at the last spring gathering. Unfortunately, Takapuna course is surrounded by public roads on three, sides — leaving no real room for the necessary lenerth to bring it up to the standard needed to accommodate the large fields of the present day.

There are owners who would not dream of racing good horses at Takapuna or any other tracks so constructed, but so long as racing continues across the harbor there will always be found horses m plenty to make up fields. There will also be found punters prepared to take the risk of it being their lucky day.

But this cannot be used as an argument that the main body of racing enthusiasts are entirely m accord with turning tracks such as Takapuna.

It is up to the Takapuna club to realize this fact — and the sooner the better.

No one desires the four days racing to be denied northern trainers and owners. That the club race where more general satisfaction will be given to all concerned — where the risk of life, and limb will be less, and where the percentage of luck will not enter so largely — is what all are hopeful for.' Takapuna as it is at present is either unsafe or there is a hoodoo over the course. "Which is it? There is no doubt what a vote would reveal, if the people most concerned were left. to give the answer! J