SHORTEST WAY

NZ Truth, Issue 1183, 2 August 1928, Page 11

SHORTEST WAY

Reason Why Garzon Scored '

Quite a number of our steeplechase jockeys must be bitten by that bug that makes the longest way home the sweetest.

TN flat races there are times when the covering of ground cannot be avoided, but m cross-country races nine times out of ten there is no reason for this.

In the Cisborne Steeplechase last week only two jockeys knew about short cuts- — Jack Nixon and Alan McDonald.

Nixon won through his sticking to the fence — McDonald's mount fell when it had had enough.

,The riders of Highway and Master Arch were out scouting all round the landscape, and, as the latter was only' beaten a neck, it can be seen what difference covering ground meant.

Nixon himself admitted to "N.Z. Truth" that he sneakeS the race by going the short 'way— in fact, he said that was how he had won the four Gisborne Steeplechases that are to his credit. , •> • ' The race must have got to the bottom of Garzon, for the second day he was always toiling m the rear, and, strange to relate, covering a lot of unnecessary ground.

Following so closely on Nixon's statement about going the short way home it looked very funny. Still, there must have been some reason for it.