METHODS EXPOSED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 430, 11 August 1928, Page 6

METHODS EXPOSED

Misplaced Genius and The Electric Battery for Racehorses

CRUEL DEVICE IS NOW A RARITY

FORTUNATELY the practice of using an electric battery to spur horses on to greater effort in their races appears to be a thing of the past in this country. In Australia recently, however, there were two cases within a week of each other, and in exposing the methods adopted in the use of this sinister device, the following article will be found of interest to the racing world.

The most brutal tricks played by unscrupulous jockeys and trainers are the use of “dope” and the electric battery; the former is administered either to “stiffen” a horse or to liven him up —different dopes are used, says the Sydney “Sun.” The electric battery, for the alleged use of which, in Melbourne, the connections of a Sydney mare were the other day disqualified for life, is always designed to inflict such sudden pain on a horse that it will dash forward in a burst of mad speed. In Dungog, also, a jockey was disqualified a fortnight ago for the alleged use of the battery. The hardest-plied whip and the sharpest spur can be no more cruel

than the battery, for the horse is so constituted that it is particularly susceptible to electric shock—more so than most other animals, and certainly to a far greater degree than a human being. Cannot Stand It Every now and then one reads of horses which have been fatally electrocuted in the street by broken wires, which would give the average man or woman scarcely more than a severe shock. "Why the horse should be so sensitive to electric shock has not been discovered, and veterinary experts are at a loss to account for this characteristic. The fact remains, however, that they are, and that unscrupulous persons take advantage of the equine weakness. The racecourse battery is an insidious thing, difficult to detect. It is made so ingeniously that it can be hidden within a small compass, and it is made so skilfully that it is usually drastic in its action. So small a charge as two volts is sufficient to goad a horse into unwonted activity, and thus is the work of the battery user made easier. Several Types Four types of batteries are known to have been used, and each type is a masterpiece of ingenuity. The battery is always of the dry cell kind, with an induction coil to increase its power. It is made on the same principle as the ordinayr “medical battery,” but is much smaller and more delicate. To obtain increased voltage very fine wires are used in the making of the coil—so fine as to be'little more than a hair’s breadth in thickness. The simplest type used—which has rather gone out of favour in recent years—is that which is carried in the hand. It is no larger than a matchbox. Inside a casing is the coil, whije protruding from it are two contact points of metal. These are so constructed that they make a circuit only when pressed against something. In the Palm The jockey, with the battery neatly palmed (see picture), presses it on to the horse’s neck at the stage of the race when he wants his mount to make its run. The poor animal, startled at the sudden and unexpected fear, leaps forward, very often much faster than it ever does in ordinary running. At the conclusion of the race the

jockey throws away the instrument, generally to some spot to which he, or his colleagues, repair when the course is deserted, when they are able to recover it without fear of being discovered. A far more ingenious battery, and one extremely difficult for stipendiary stewards to detect, is that which is concealed in the jockey’s whip. In the Whip, Too The centre of the jockey’s whip is bored out, and into this hollow the battery is placed. There it is securely fixed. Most whips have several silver or nickel bands on them, and these are often used as contact points. The metal knob on the handle of the whip is used as a “switch,” is loosely fastened, and is pressed to make contact. The bands, at the other end, are, at the same time, pressed against some portion of the horse, which thus receives the full voltage of the battery. Not always, however, is the electric whip used during the actual race. The jockey often employs a far more cunning process. He uses the charged whip, applied always to the same part of the horse, only when he is schooJng his mount on the track. The beast expects the shock, being overcome with fear immediately he feels the pressure of the whip. Matter of Tactics In the race itself, the jockey discards the practice whip and uses an ordinary one, a touch from which is quite enough to make his horse gallop faster, for it has learnt by bitter experience to expect a shock. Some horses, however, respond differently, and instead of increasing their speed will buck and rear in fear. The battery which allegedly was used in Melbourne recently was of another variety, and was concealed in the padding of the saddle (as in the picture). If the mare had not received a prema-

ture shock, on the way to the start, the device would probably have never been discovered. This type of battery is a model of ingenuity. A minute induction coil is hidden in the padding surrounding the “tree” of the saddle. From here ttvo wires lead, one to a switch in the saddle flap—also carefully concealed — the other to a contact point just under the padding of the flap, and resting on the horse’s withers. This point is usually moistened with water before the race to make the passage of the current surer and stronger. A Work of Art The whole contrivance, of course, is a work of art, and would never be noticed without very close scrutiny, a very light saddle cannot be used for this battery. The “switch” is operated by the jockey pressing his knee against it. Immediately a current is set in motion, which passes into the horse’s body. It would appear that, in the Melbourne case, by some means the current came into force too soon, with the result that the mare plunged and kicked on the way to the start. The fourth type of battery used is one that is concealed on the body of the jockey—in a pocket, in his belt, or in some other such place. The contact points are either in the heel of one of his boots, or are the spurs themselves, which the jockey uses. Fine wires from the battery run inside his breeches to the boot. When spurs are not used the contact points are very small, and are carefully blackened. Turning on the Juice The switch is concealed somewhere in the body, and is turned on as the jockey goes to the start. When he wants to “ginger up” his horse, he presses his heel against its body. This device, however, is not greatly used, as it is too risky. The battery has to be switched off after the finish of the race, and, in the midst of the officials, this might easily be noticed.

A modification, and one not so easv to detect, is the placing of a small bat tery in the heel of a boot, which u built of a shape to accommodate it The other boot, of course, is built the same shape. The contact points aro on springs, similar to those used in tho hand battery, and the pressure of them against the horse causes the current to flow. Two Cases in 20 Years While the Australian Racing Club which controls pony meetings in Sydney, has had only two cases of the use of batteries brought under its official notice in tho last 20 years, there is no doubt that they have been used on more occasions than two, and a few years ago rumours were rife that they were operated extensively. The Australian Jockey Club has taken precautions against their use and one rule states that disqualification will be imposed upon any persons administering any drug or “stimulant" for the purpose of affecting the speed, stamina or courage of a horse. The alleged use of batteries twice in the past few weeks—in Melbourne and at Dungog—has aroused keen interest m the subject among racing men. while all animal lovers have been rein?. 1110 cruelt y of the device. The R.S.P- CA., in Melbourne, is taking the matter up with a view of launching prosecutions.

LEFT IN THE LURCH TRAINERS AND THEIR FEES AN ENGLISH PLAINT Should trainers’ bills be naid through Weatherby’s. the firm that conducts practically all race meetines m the Old Country? I have heard Whisperings (says a London writer) that the bad debts of a trainer can only be likened in their enormity—to those that are commonly associated with doctors and tailors. This, to my mind, is a serious matter that, before long, must claim the attention of the Jockey Club. Take the position of a newly-started trainer. a new owner comes alonp with a few horses and a flash proposition. The horses are paid for; the jockey’s fees are paid through Weatherby’s, and —the trainer whistles for his. Forgotten Trainer This is no imaginary case. At the moment I know of a certain trainer who has in this way been imposed upon by a certain owner. The outlook, at the start, was good; winners came freely—even some of the biggest two-year-old races falling to the stable—and the jockeys were automatically paid. But the trainer was so entirely forgotten that his bill at the moment is nearly a thousand pounds, and his chance of getting any of It is absolutely nil. This is not fair. The owner draws his winnings through Weatherby’s, his jockeys are paid through Weatherby’s, but the man who does the work —the trainer —is left out in the cold to fend for. and look after, himself. Unfashionable One realises this cannot occur with the bigger men with big owners, neither can it with the bigger and more fashionable jockeys. But there are small —call them unfashionable, trainers, just as there are small and unfashionable jockeys, and the one is entitled to as much consideration, and protection, as the other. I shall have more to write concerning this question, but, in the meantime. I must bring it to the attention of the Jockey Club.

RACING FIXTURES j August 14, 16 18. —Canterbury J.C. j August 25.—Hawke’s Bay Hunt, i August 29.—Dannevirke R-C. | August 30.—Dannevirke Hunt. ! Sept- I.—Otago Hunt, j Sept. I—Taranaki Hunt. Sept. 5. —Max ton J.C. ; Sept- 13, 15. Wanganui J.C. Sept- 19. Manawatu Hunt. Sept. 22.—Ashburton R.C. Sept- 22. —Napier Park R.C. Sept. 22, 24. —Avondale J.C. ! Sept. 27. 28.—Geraldine R.C. Sept. 29.—Pakuranga Hunt (at EUeralieJ* Sept- 29.—Hawke s Bay J.C. Oct. 6.—Kuiow J.C. Oct- 6, B.—Auckland K.C. Oct- 11, 13.—Dunedin J.C. Oct. 13.—Carterton R-C. Oct. 20, 22.—Wellington R-C. Oct. 20. 22. —Gore R.G. Oct- 20, 24.—Waikato R.C. Oct. 22.—Waverley R-C. Oct. 22.—Waikato Hunt Club. Oct. 22.—Waipawa County R-C. Oct. 22. —N. Canterbury R-C. Oct. 25, 27.—Poverty Bay C. Oct. 27.—Masterton R.C. Oct. 27. —Banks Peninsula. Oct. 31.—Birchwood Hunt. Avo ndalt)Nov. 1. 3 Dargaville R.C. <** A%onaw Nov 3,5, 7. 10.— Canterbury J Nov.’ 8, 10.— Whangarei R-C. Nov. 17.—Levin R.C. Nov. 17. —Waipapakauri 8.c.. Nov. 14, 15.—Wlnton J.C. -