MIXING GAIT

NZ Truth, Issue 1239, 29 August 1929, Page 15

MIXING GAIT

Strict Supervision To

Control It

(By "The Toff.")

Last season there were .innumerable instances of trotters getting stakes when their drivers and riders had not conformed to the rules.

TT is laid down m the Trotting Rules 1 that a horse shall go at the gait he was intended m all races.

If a horse leaves his gait and gallpps or. paces he shall, according to the requirements, be immediately pulled up and made, to go at the intended gait.

Should any rider or driver fail to observe the regulations the horse shall be' disqualified. | .

Right throughout last season m

most of the races for trotters, horses were allowed to mix their

'.gaits and win stake-money with-

out any action being taken.

. When enquiries were instituted the stewards rarely did anything' more than possibly caution the rider or driver or inflict a small fine.

At tlie recent meeting at Addington, however, there was almost a -total absence of illegal practices along the lines stated, m fact it is very rare that six trotting races are seen at any one meeting where the trotters kept so steady or when they "mixed their gait" were immediately steadied by their drivers.

It is to be hoped that this will continue throughout-' the iseasoiVs racing and that the objectionable practices will cease.