ALLOWED TO START WHEN ON THE MOVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 323, 7 April 1928, Page 8

ALLOWED TO START WHEN ON THE MOVE

CRITICISM OF STARTER If there is one thing more than another calculated to undermine confidence in a starter it consists in the fact that occasionally a horse gets away on the move, while the rest of the field stands flatfoot at the barrier. Mr. A. D. Mclvor did excellent work at the Invercargill meeting (writes “Sentinel”), but if one is to be judged by mistakes, he completely nullified all his good starting when

Apache was allowed to get away on the move in the concluding event on the card.

Apache was a bit fractious at the post, and caused some little delay. He was finally taken in charge by an attendant, and when he was moving in the barrier rose. Apache was unlucky that he did not at once show clear of the field, but. he began from the outside and ran out instead of toward the rails, and so lost his initial advantage. Whether he did or did not win is immaterial, but the fact remains that a starter should take every to prevent a horse from getti- / out on the move. The Marble Section 3 of Part XXIV. of the Rules of Racing states that: “The horses shall, as far as practicable, be drawn up before the start in order to be determined by lots to be drawn at the time of weighing out from a closed box of the pattern approved by the conference and under the supervision j of a steward, or the judge, or other official of the club specially appointed for the purpose.” Prior to the final event at Invercargill the writer took note in his racebook of the draw for position as posted, but he later noticed that the horses did not start from the corresponding numbers at the barrier. It was subsequently learnt that a trainer with a horse engaged took his rider to the scales, and when he asked for the draw for position at the barrier, he was informed that the draw had already taken place, and that his horse’s number was so and so. The trainer insisted on the draw being made according to the rules in the usual way by which riders receive their marble immediately after being weighed out for a race. A fresh draw lor position was made and materiallv ' altered the original one, and perhaps 1 the result of the race.

One for Feilding Duke Abbey was galloped on on £hr> concluding day at Trentham. Tie may contest the Manchester Handicap at Feilding. and if a starter will be ridden by J. Barry. Barry will not be able to see out the programme at Feilding this afternoon, for he will have to go to Wellington to catch the ferry boat for the South that night.

West Coast and the Easter It is rather a remarkable thing that the Auckland Easter Handicap has not been won by an Auckland horse since Uncle Ned led the field home in 1919. Even more remarkable is the fact that the last four races for this event have been won by horses from the West Coast of this Island in Hipo, Reremoana (twice in succession) and Civility. This district stands an excellent chance of adding to this record, for it will be represented on this occasion by Bright Glow. Lysander, Laughing Prince, and Oration, and with the first and third of these it holds a strong hand.