"RAMPS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 49, 20 May 1927, Page 12

"RAMPS”

SATISFIED OWNER GAMBLERS AND JOCKEYS SYDNEY SPORTSMAN’S REFUTATION Under the heading, “Not as They Should Be,” there was published in THE SUN yesterday a trenchant criticism written by “Turfiite” in a Sydney newspaper. This article has drawn some interesting comment from leading racing folk of New South Wales, and a couple of these are reproduced here. “Racing in Sydney was never cleaner than at present. In my opinion 99 per cent, of the horses in flat races at Randwick are triers,” one of these commentators declares. The owner in question has had the pleasure of winning a couple of races lately, and to back up his contention that only about one horse in a hundred is a non-trier in fiat races at Randwick reasoned that the stakes at that course are too high to merit much wrongdoing. THE ETERNAL QUESTION “Big prize money,” he said, “spells clean racing, and that is what makes it harder lor punters. The fewer the triers the easier it is to pick the winners, if one is a keen follower of the betting market, but it makes all the difference when practically all the horses are out to win the high stakes. “The questions ‘What do you know?’ and ‘What is trying?’ as mentioned by ‘Turfite,’ have been asked ever since racing began. Most people are naturally suspicious, and the racing public loves mystery. Take the mystery from racing and the game would die out in 10 years. That, combined with difference of opinion, is what enables the bookmakers to stand up every week. Without it they would soon be looking for some other avocation.” “AS FAR AS I KNOW” “Why, I could not convince my dearest friends that my horses are at all times doing their best, but, as far as I know, they are always out to win. My motto is ‘first past thq post.’ ” . Questioned about the great improvement made by some horses in such a short space of time during recent meetings, the owner said that no follower of racing could be unaware of at least a couple of pronounced reversals, but added that it was a very difficult matter to sheet the blame home to the right individuals, if, of course, the improvement in form had been premeditated. NOT AGAIN! “If the jockeys of other runners were in any way involved, possibly the most feasible manner of getting at the root of the evil would be for the A.J.C. to examine the boys’ bank books in an endeavour to trace any undue fluctuations in their accounts. But the ruling body would hardly do that,” he remarked. “Speaking frankly, I would say that the gambling punters and gambling bookmakers are a menace to racing. Of course, I am not classing them as a whole, but there are some men in the game who are inclined to- become desperate when things are going against them badly, and they will stop at almost nothing if it is going to get them out of their difficulties. INCAPACITY OF JOCKEYS “As far as the incapacity of some of the jockeys is concerned, I hardly think the riders of to-day quite compare with those of, say 20 years ago. Conditions have altered greatly. A couple of decades ago a big percentage of the boys learnt to ride almost as soon as they could walk. They had their own ponies, and were fair horsemen at the age when many presentday jockeys are only learning the art. I think it would be wise to lengthen the stirrup-leathers for the inexperienced apprentice until he feels safe in his seat. ONE IN AGREEMENT “I thoroughly agree with ‘Turfite’s’ remarks that racing in Sydney is not as clean as it should be. Indeed, I think it is dirtier than we have known it for years.” Thus a man who owns several horses, is a good bettor, and is in a position to see more of the game than many of the public. Several instances were quoted which he thinks should have been inquired into by the stewards, but were allowed to pass. Emphasis was laid on the “fixings” of hurdle races. 1“ know a case,” he said, “which happened at Warwick Farm a few months ago. ALL FIXED “A man came to me and told me that every rider but one was in agreement to let a certain horse win, and that one would be ‘taken care of.’ However, the particular jockey, who was to be taken care of, took his mount to the front at once, and was able to keep it there, while the horse for which the race had been framed, finished second.” “While I think that racing is not as clean as is might be, I don’t blame the stipendiary stewards. There is good reason to think that one strong reason which was given for the appointment of the stewards, that they should be right outside local influences, has been forgotten. Often, as soon as they take on a case, the interference from ‘above’ begins. This breeds inactivity among the stewards until in time they become dissatisfied with their own inactivity. BUGBEAR FOR OWNERS “One bugbear for owners, and one that some of them are helpless to contend against is that certain big bettors who are on friendly terms with members of racing club committees, are permitted in the saddling paddock among trainers and jockeys, where they frequently get hints which enable them to take the cream of the market from the owner. I have objected to my trainer, and have received the reply, ‘Oh, it is policy to let these men know.’ That is all very well for them, but they should net be given the opportunity of gaining such information so easily. “No doubt there is a considerable amount of interference in races, and, no doubt some of it is intentional, though not nearly so much of it as some people think. Much of the interference is due to bad riding. Boys i who are incompetent are put on horses. BLAME THE BOYS “They are allowed to ride with their stirrup leathers so short that when they are perched on the saddle they have no means of balancing, except with the bridge they can make with the reins across the horse’s neck. They canot get much assistance from their knees against the withers, as they are against a constantly moving part of the animal. If a horse swerves in a race, the boy on top has insufficient control, and accidents happen. The young boys should ride with longer ieathers. A good story is told of a trainer and his apprentice. He was nailing a post on two trees, and the nipper asked. ‘What are you putting that up for?’ The reply came, ‘Just something for you to practice on. You can’t ride a horse: perhaps you can get your leg across that.’ ”