False Starts Will be Thing of the Past

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 506, 8 November 1928, Page 10

False Starts Will be Thing of the Past

Cuts Out Chance of Horse Being heft STARTING GATE REVOLUTION There will be no more ragged and unequal starts if the invention of the veteran American racehorse trainer, J. W. May, proves successful. The invention is a stall gate, an ingenious but simple invention, for which leading turf authorities predict success, savs London "Sporting Life.” It is called a stall gate, yet horses do not run out of stalls. They are placed in stalls before the barrier, but directly the barrier is lifted the stalls instanlty disappear into the ground. Not only will be field start on its journey aligned, but pushing, twisting, and turning of horses will ce eliminated, and it will be practically impossible for horses be left at the post. # Trainer May has been working on his invention for many months. Recently he demonstrated a complete model before New York’s leading turf authorities, who intend to give the_ invention a trial on one of the New York tracks. OPEN SESAME! The model worked like magic. It consisted of a field of horses, a starting gate, stalls, a kicking board, and a starter’s stand. The inventor placed the horses in front of the barrier. He touched a leaver. Up flew the barrier and the stalls disappeared. The steel stalls in which the horses are placed are 30in wide and 6£ft long. When the barrier is sprung there are no stalls in sight, and horses can only bump into each other after they arc despatched on their journey. It requires only fifty feet of track to start a field of twenty horses. All that seems necesasry is for the horses to be taught to stand in the stalls, which, no doubt, they could easily be broken to at the stables. The stalls' are made of finest steel, which is only.half an inch thick. The lever and mechanical devices can be worked by electricity, hydraulic power, or hand gears. One lever controls the barrier and the stalls. In case of accident to one of the steel stalls substitutes are in readiness. DISAPPEARING STALLS When the stalls disappear into the earth canvas will be stretched across the track. After the stalls disappear they shoot past a steel shutter, which works automatically with the stalls, and into a tunnel which is built underneath the track. Questioned regarding the possibility of jockeys being injured by being thrown against the steel walls, the veteran trainer replied: “How can a horse or jockey fall against something that isn’t near him? If a horse rears up, throws his jockey, or falls himself., they will land on the track, because the starter would see the horse’s action, apply the lever, and the stall would disappear. One of the greatest opponents of stall gates is Joseph E. Widener, on the ground that they are dangerous both to man and beast. On hearing of Trainer May’s invention he arranged to witness the operation of the gate. May has patented his idea after consulting several prominent engineers, who believe the scheme will operate equally as well on the track as in the form of a model. £1,638 PROFIT WAIKATO R.C. SUCCESS PAYABLE SPRING MEETING A balance-sheet presented to the executive of the Waikato Racing Club regarding the club’s meeting at Te Rapa on October 20 and October 24 showed a profit of £1,638 10s. The last two meetings have been the most successful conducted by the club. A report from the racecourse inspector congratulated the club on the efficient manner in which the October meeting was conducted. AFTER THE CUP THE BANKER NOW FINISHED PRINCE HUMPHREY STILL A COT CASE (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) MELBOURNE, Wednesday. The Banker, who pulled up sore in the Melbourne Cup, will not race again. Statesman’s stake winnings total £12,237. He looked well when he was cantering to-day. Gothic, Amounts, Highland and Fourth Hand will run in to-morrow’s Linlithgow Stakes. Prince Humphrey is still in a veterinary hospital. The trainer, J. T. Jamieson, has left on his return to his home.