COMMENTS ON THE WINGATUI FORM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 54

COMMENTS ON THE WINGATUI FORM.

The Dunedin Cup meeting of 1908 is past and gone. It- is now^a matter of hist-OTy, snd the guidance for the future is to^-be gleaned from the lessons of the past. The best method of achieving future successes is to strive to eradicate past blemishes, if any exist, and to take., reasonable precautions tliat they will not be found again if careful and capable management can "bring about that happy result. To achieve success* it 'i§ imperative that the confidence as well as ' the patronage of the public should be procured. This can only be obtained by giving jeveryone a. fair run for his money, and by furnishing avidence that anything ot»a Questionable nature, calculated to destroy tlio public confidences, will be fully investigated, and wli-al, is opon to doubt either vindicated or puniahod. &a the facts of the case warrant. I'h« control of metropolitan meeting* boars -ft doublo sionificencc. If they are lconoly managed their influence spreads to the minor meetings, just as thofto who have ramped at minor meetings gain courage from tho success of their misdemeanours and. attempt to repeat their peccadillos at- headquarters. There has unfortunately been a tendency to arrange -matters at pome of our minor meet^nss. and too time ie ripe when our

metropolitan clubs should take a firm stand and use their best endeavours to_ "bring about pure sport, not only on their own courses, but also on those which are under J their jurisdiction. Metropolitan clubs should be imbued with the spirit "of good example, in order that minor clubs should become imbued with the spirit of emulation. That being so, let us examine the tone of the sport -which was witnessed at Wingatui last week, and see if the stewards of the Dunedin Jockey Club failed in their duty to the public. If one looks solely for faults, ,they will be found, of a more or less serious nature; but it is only by enlarging on the faults that they may "be eradicated and success achieved. An unfortunate accident occurred on the first day, and the Tyranny filly Suttee met with injuries which" necessitated her destruction. It is not tfe© first accident which haß occurred at that portion of the track, and although a question or two put to some of the riders of the race appeared to make it dear that no one in particular was to blame, still the stewards should have held *a fairly searching inquiry into the matter. It is possible that an informal investigation was made, but if so, nothing concerning the matter -was communicated to tbe press. In th© writer's opinion the upright posts carrying the rails are probably responsible for some of the accidents. Few horses stride straight out, but occasionally in front, and frequently behind, have wide action. When a wide-actioned horse is galloping very close to the rails .there is always a risk that H© will Tut a post and come down. In order to reduce the risk when horses are crowding round the turn ii would be advisable to -put in a false, or guard, rail, projecting about 12in or 18in. This would have the same effect as if the posts were put in the ground at an angle ; instead of being upright. The installation of a guard rail would cost very little, and as it would reduce the risk of accident the monetary part of the idea should not be considered a serious obstacle if the idea contains any value. However, "hi view of the fact that accidents have occurred, it is to be hoped that this dub will consider the matter. It is' extremely' difficult to have each race on a programme decided purely on its merits, but a great deal can be done towards bringing that desirable element into the .sport. At Wingatui last week there was apparently no case of several horses in the same race running in the one interest. There was, however, some form exhibited which was open to question,, and those interested should have been given an opportunity^to prove -that it was genuine. It is much better to hold an inquiry than to have doubt hanging- in -the air. A formal inquiry is not always necessary, but one or two stewards should be empowered to -ask special questions, and if _ the answers aTe not deemed entirely satisfactory then further action should be taken. No loss of time would be involved, but when the running or riding of a horse, looks suspicious it should go on record that a question has been .asked. In fact the opportunity of giving an. explanation should he welcomed. Take, for instance, the diversity of -opinion thai v existed about The Seer's running- on the_ first day- of the meeting. Some iel-d the opinion that sufficient use "was not made of the horse, and others that M^Combe rode a good race in -netting ira mount to the -end of «eren furlong's under 2.30 with 9st up. It was '. clearly flio T>est Town, the Turquoise gelding lias yet shown, and few expected' him to' "last out a fast run seven furlongs. , H-eno© the - probable reason that the public . did not back him to any great extent. The Seer stole over three lengths at the start by the prompt manner in which he was jumped out at the rise of the barrier, and after showing the way along the back, he was steadied, and Luresome, who was in hot pursuit, allowed to make the running up the hill. A strong wind was blowing down the straight, and Luresome also split the atmosphere for The Seer until within 50 or 60 yards from home, where the latter was a neck or more in front. Luresome then put in a final challenge, and the pair, who had drawn clear away from their opponents, van. locked together to the Dost In the final pinch The Seer, like all horses who carry their heads hiffh, or, -as' some put it, their necks "upside ckrwn," curled his camel neck still more, and the judge's verdict wae half a head in favour' of Luresome. M'Combe afterwards stated that he was under the impression that he won, and no doubt he was in front until the last, stride. ■ The Seer was never a resolute finisher, and is one of the sort more likely to do their best, particularly when running -out of their distance, when nursed and ridden with hands and heels, but eotne of the onlookers would have liked to -see M^Combe draw his whip at the finish. The Seer appeared -to have a better chance on ftaper when he went out in the Abbotsford Welter. In this he carried more than double the money invested on any other starter. He led to "the turn in company with St. Denis, where both were challenged, by Lone Star. The last-named went on and won comfortably, and in the last bit The Seer was ridden with the whip in an effort to get second mowv but he stopped quicker, although running over a furlong less ground, than when he ran his first race, at the meeting. Another case was that of Armamento. His running in the Wingatui Handicap was open to question. It will be allowed by any exnert thafthe son of Lord Rosslyn won the Cup with something to spare. Still he w*s never dangerous when' the opnosition was not so formidable. The. field which wont to the post for the Winsratui -Handicap consisted of Speculate, Hilarity, Red and Black, and Notus. Each of these had previously run in the Anniversary Handicap. Thunderer, the winner of the Wingatui Handican, bad previously snlit Lone Star and 'The ~ Seer in the afjbboteford Welter, and the balance of the • field . consisted' of Zetland, who was running out of what i-3 generally supposed to be his .distance, and 'Jack Ashore. whoße efforts "in the Cup settled 3iim for the meeting. Even with this opposition Armamento was never dangerous, and only gained-* fourth nlace by a 1 late run. It is possible that training him for a 12-furlong journey spoilt, nt least temporarily his sprintinff capabilities, but m*ny would have liked to learn that the change of form had not cacaned the official eye. Some rx>ople could not understand why Grand Stand won _the hurdle events the «ecOnd and third d«.v in wood elyle. but could do no b&ttor than a fourth on the .first day- 1«« fact that it was his first effort under silk at the fencing business; satisfied the cognoscenti. Octave- showed »r*&t brilliancy m; her races, but she manage! to lose— m fact could not get ,ar pbwje in the Trial Plate, which wou!d~&«*e be£p a moral h&a .

she not been allowed to run herself out n* the first five furlongs. Anyone not knowing how she was ridden on the first day would have marvelled on subsequent form how she managed to lose the Trial. Then, were one or two other contrasts of form open to question, but further individualisation is unnecessary. Taking the running throughout the three id»ys, it was generally of a good tone, and compared very favourably with that witnessed at other metropolitan meetings. That is about as much as can- be expected until stipendiary stewards are elected to bear the brunt and unpleasantness of holding inquiries.