TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 February 1940, Page 9

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Fatalities Among Jockeys SOMETHING RADICALLY WRONG WITH RIDING (BY “THE GRAFTER.") i The painful termination of the somewhat meteoric career in the saddle of W. Lappin following on similar fatal accidents to other crack riders in Ray Wilson and Keith Voitre suggests that there is something radically wrong in connection with race riding in Australia and New Zealand. Scarcely a meeting passes in Australia without riders being carpeted for interference or so-called careless riding. Frequent falls of a more of less serious nature are attributed to accidents, but the fact remains that more fatal falls take place on the flat in Australia than is the case in races over jumps. The circular courses in Australia and New Zealand contribute towards crowding, but the originating cause of the so-called accidents has never been satisfactorily investigated. It is not suggested that the accidents and interference are deliberately created.

It is a most remarkable fact that men such as James Scobie and others who were particularly successful in the saddle have all strongly condemned the general use of the extreme crouch seat, and yet the authorities have not taken the slightest notice of opinions held and frequently expressed by men of long experience in the saddle. What appears to be one reason why interference is too frequent can be gathered by anyone who studies the snapshots of races whilst they are in progress. A very large percentage of the riders are so perched that they cannot. see how close their mounts may be striding to another horse and that seems to be the most prolific cause of interference and accidents, states a Dunedin writer. Another cause of trouble is very possibly due to the short leather placing too much weight in front of the saddle and on a horse’s neck, with the result that a slight stumble may lead to a complete fall. It may be taken as an indisputable fact that accidents and interference have become very much more frequent sinde the adoption of the crouch seat, and yet the rules that could provide a real remedy are “dead letters” both in Australia and New Zealand. It is worthy of note that two of the leading riders in New Zealand are at present standing down as a result of being charged with interference.

Ferriby Progressing Well. Ferriby opened up the present season by an attractive success in the Raukapuka Handicap at Geraldine last September. The five-year-old Nightmarch —Charmeuse gelding followed it up with some brilliant track work, only to fail in the high-weight at Hororata, a race in which he was never galloping freely. Tried again on the southern circuit he failed in three starts, but had fallen away in condition and had to be let up.

Apparently he is always going to be a poor traveller, but he should more than pay his way at meetings close at hand. Ferriby is gradually building up and looks well. Lord Midas in Work. Lord Midas, the three-year-old Iliad —Wealth colt trained by G. Ridgway for Mr J. M. Samson, of Dunedin, is at present going through the elementary stages of another preparation following a spell. Lord Midas has put on condition and is developing into an attractive-looking horse. He did not win out of turn when he scored his first win. after many minor placings, in the Trial Plate at Rangiora, and several other placings followed before he won the Winchmore Hack Handicap, at Ashburton in November. Though seen to advantage so far up to six furlongs, Lord Midas may run on a bit better when he resumes racing. He is a good beginner, easy to place during the running, and should continue to pay his way.

No Definite Plans For Kilrobe. Kilrobe is not likely to be racing at Easter, though her owner-trainer, H. Nurse, has not made any definite plans for her.

Since ■ being taken over by Nurse early in the present season, Kilrobe has been racing solidly and well. From thirteen starts she had had five wins and four seconds for £7lO.

Following some solid racing at Christmas it was decided to give the four-year-old Robespierre — Kildee mare a spell, but she became so fresh that she was put into light exercise again and is thriving on it. There should be plenty of easy races for her'after Easter, while she would also have to be considered if set for the next Winter Cup. This season she has become very solid, her only fault being restiveness at the barrier, 'and. this weakness has cost her several races.

Norseman's Injury. Norseman shows a scar on. his oil hind leg about midway between the stifle and the hock, where he got galloped on when racing at Gore. The trouble is said to have been caused by a young rider in the race pulling his mount about and running into Norseman. Beyond the signs of impact. Norseman has thrown off the temporary soreness, and galloped well on Saturday morning. Race Call. Race Call, an acceptor on the first clay at Wingatui. is owned by Mrs M. Casey, of Hawera. and is trained there by L. E. George. He is being brought south by Mrs J. Campbell, and on his return to Riccarton will be trained bj' A. S. Ellis, who will also have Race Away, also owned by Mrs Casey, to prepare for the Banks Peninsula meeting and the Easter meeting at Riccarton.