ERRATIC RACING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81918, 20 February 1907, Page 4

ERRATIC RACING.

According to the Manawatii correspondent of the "Press" the starting at tlie last l'ahiatua meeting was exceedingly erratic. Distinctly un satisfactory from the beginning of the meeting, he says it reached a climax in toe Trial Hack Race, in which thirteen out of the fifteen starters Were practically left at the post. Hillsong, who. it is reported had not the coulideuce of Ins connections owing to his ignoble displays in recent racing, was shot out of the barrier with an advantage from Routine, who was in turn several lengths in front of anything else, that, bar the horse I falling or dropping dead on tlie jour ney, gave the others no chance at all.

AfttU- the Race had been run, th:starter, when he returned to the paddock; was made the . subject of ojuo of the most hostile receptions yet witnessed upon the course. The hoot ing and uncomplimentary remarks directed to him lasted for fully twenty minutes, and were in part resuiueu when he went out to despatch the next race. The noisy demonstration was regrettable and quite useless, but it is a way crowds have of expressing 'their disapprobation. A club must, however, in a matter like this, coasidcr owners, trainers, and the pub lie lirst, for it is from them collectively it receives the sinews of war. Under the circumstances, it is hardly to be wondered that there were expression',;* of tlie deepest resentment, and that, some owners and trainers, in the excitement of the moment, vowed fii'ey would not patronise the club again. 3dr W.W. McCardle, the club's starter, is without doubt a

mo>t estimable official, and one who is bound up in the progress of his club, but in is not a starter in the accepted sense of the word. His welt known energy and knowledge of raping will cp.sily find an outlet in some other position of trust and responsibility. There can be no doubt that the confidence of the helling section of the public was sadly shaken on Wednesday, and to this in a great measure may be attributed the falling off in the returns previously alluded to.