BATTLE OF WITS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 410, 19 July 1928, Page 6

BATTLE OF WITS

THE TIN-HARE BAN NOVEL SCHEME AT MASCOT NEW POSER FOR GOVERNMENT A sensational development in tin hare coursing plans is the scheme of the Australasian Coursing Club, which conducts meetings at Mascot, to use a live hare in place of the mechanical imitation. Although the plan is only in the experimental stage, the club’s officials are hopeful of success, wnieh will mean that betting will be lawfully possible at the meetings. It is proposed to run eight dogs in a course, but they will be muzzled, and it is claimed that this .will make almost impossible the killing of the hare. The dogs will be judged on speed. Ever since the New South Wales Cabinet decided to ban betting at the mechanical hare fixtures the various clubs have been working hard in an attempt to seek an outlet which will allow the continuance of betting. Many plans have been formed, but the Australasian Coursing Club is the first to announce its policy. Mr. Jim Taylor, the racing manager, made it clear to a “News” man that the plan is at present only a theory, but everything pointed to it proving successful. He wished the public to understand that there was much work to be done before the club could decide whether it was practicable to carry out its plans. Shorter Races In explaining the scheme, Mr. Taylor said it is proposed to run eight dogs ip a course as before, but the races will be only about 300yds, in contrast to the tin hare courses over 440, 060, and 880yds.

The dogs will be judged solely on speed', the first past the post being declared the winner in the ordinary course of events. Should the hare be overtaken before reaching the escapes, there will be a special judge to decide the merit of the performance and decide the winner. In order to conform with the rules of coursing, only one dog will be placed, and thus concession betting will be abolished.

A “News” man made an inspection of the track, and found that already the club is preparing for the scheme. A “camp” for the hares is under construction, but so far no hares have been procured. It is a difficult matter to secure the animals at this time of the year. Application was made to the Owners’ and Trainers’ Coursing Company, but this body was unable to sell any, on account of its own shortage, with a meeting to bo held in the near future. ,

The escapes are to be erected a short distance from the present judge’s box, and will take the form of a hurdle in which a hole is constructed to allow “bunny” to pass to safety down a lane. The dogs will jump the hurdle, and will then go into the pickup yard, as at the tin hare meetings. It will be impossible for the dogs to get the hare, even if they were to double back, for a contrivance is to be fitted giving the timid animal every protection. Tin Hare At Night Extensive wiring work is being carried out, and the tin hare track is to be covered with hessian. The mechanical liaro plant will be partly dismantled, although it will be used at the night meetings and in trials. The dogs will not bo slipped as before, provision being made to let them go .from a frontless box. While they are in the box a collapsible ring will hold their collars, through which a bar is to be placed. The rings will open automatically by th© pressing of a lever. Until further announcements, the club will carry on with the mechanical hare.

The general opinion among sporting men is that there should be no reason for the scheme not succeeding. Fears are held,- however, that there may be more trouble over betting, ai*d that the Government might take the steps of banning betting on live hare coursing.

Officials of the Greyhound Coursing Association said that there was little prospect of a similar plan being tried at Tipping, and that no such scheme had so far been discussed.