BOX ON A BAD ANGLE

NZ Truth, Issue 1153, 5 January 1928, Page 9

BOX ON A BAD ANGLE

Judge's Verdict Twice Questioned At Marton Meeting When the person responsible for the lay-out of the Marton course came to the judge's box he made a good job.

THAT- is, he made a good job for the judge, insofar that he placed

the structure in such a position that — in a close finish — from neither stand could spectators quibble over the decision.

That is all right for the judge, but not for the big majority of the public.

Then, as at Awapuni, the Press are situated on an impossible angle to give any concrete opinion in a close finish.

For the meeting this week, sportingwriters were certainly moved a little nearer to the finishing-line, but still they were fifty yards off the correct line.

All this leads to an incident on the first day of the meeting when Powhiri beat Elysianor.

These two had a ding-dong go from the last fence, with Eowhiri first having the upper hand. Then Elysianor came again, and just short of the post he was a good head to the better.

He seemed to hold this lead to

the post, but the judge decreed

otherwise.

The judge may have been correct — the bad angle is against experienced onlookers — but it is safe to stay that not a person on the stewards' stand agreed with him.

Later in the day, there was another incident, and once again those on the

stewards' stand were most astonished. This was when Vast Acre .was placed second ahead of Arrow Lad. To those who watched the finish closely, even after allowing for the angle, there seemed no doubt at all that Arrow Lad had clearly beaten Vast Acre for second berth. Once again the judge did not agree with the consensus of opinion. .

But by placing number two (Mireu.sonta), which was not a runner, third, he did not inspire the confidence he should have. '

If "Vast Acre was third, then many people on the course were suffering from an optical ..illusion.';,; :_;-_■ ' .' . Had the club, when it was remodel-r ling the course, placed the stewards' s\and in something 1 like a decent position, the judge would be a lot better off than he is to-day. Q

As things are at present, his

.decisions are always likely to be questioned.

With some sort of a' line on him, he could rest assured there would be no criticism — unless it was merited.

TORQUIL. changed hands during 1 the A Ellerslie fixture and it is understood that the son of Lord Quex goes to Australia.

He gave proof in his trials up north that he should be a handy proposition on the other side for minor events;