UNFAIR RIDING TACTICS.

NZ Truth, Issue 234, 18 December 1909, Page 2

UNFAIR RIDING TACTICS.

There are numerous jockeys m this country -.who are guilty of unfair/not to say foul, practices when riding m races, a nd unless this conduct is speedily repressed with a 'firm hand, sooner or later a serious, and perhaps fatal accident will be recorded, as the direct result of foul ridin •;. Unfortunately, to-day it is a common thinjr. for a horso, or horses, to (all m ft Hftt ; raf -'c, aad no efforts are

made to find out how the accident occurred. This is far from being as it should. , Immediately an. accident occurs, the authorities should hold an inquiry and endeavor to find the reason of the fail, aud if it is directly traceable to any rider who by careless or foul riding has contributed to it, then the offender should be given a long spell till he learns to ride carefully and fairly. It is to be feared that the fact that all the boys are not evenly matched as horsemen causes some of those m the first grade to take undue liberties m a race, 'and such liborties are very often the causes of mishaps. For instance, an elder rider will often try to push his mount through an opening that he has no chance cf securing unless his opponent gives way. Jf the opponent is an inexperienced youth he will sometimes pull out at the call of an older rider, but if the youngster has a bit of grit m him, he refuses to be bluffed. If the first-named persists there is a bump, and sometimes a fall.. it may have been noticed, that when an accident occurs there are included m the field several inexperienced riders, who are m, or just out of, their apprenticeship. But when the riders are evenly matched, n 0 concessions are expected, none are given, and so no accidents occur. This will show that accidents are sometimes due to the reason stated above. The writer of this does not assert that there is much of what may be termed "foul riding" m this country, but. there is a great deal of "unfair riding," if one may make a distinction, m racing, as m every 4 other branch of sport, it is the fellow that, is quick t 0 see and profit by the other fellow's Aveakness, that gains the victory. From a racing experience of nmuy years the writer, has had ample opportunity to learn the game' m all its . bra'ueiiesf. As regards the riding, it can be truthfully said that it- was never on a higjher plane" than it is to-day, but with a view to, if possible, maKe it still better, it is the intention to show up some of the unfair tactics which are adopted by some riders. A common dodge, worlced gensrally at the home turn, is for the rider of the leading' horse to leave the rails and run wide, "and co carry cut any other horse that is litttly to be troublesome to the run to the post. This happened m a race at Woodville last -week, and the result was that a third horse, who was on the raiis, directly behind the leader, was let. through (and won), before the iirst horse could get back to stop him. Had the guilty rider been hailed before the stewards, his excuse would probably have been that his mount hung out on him, etc., and — again probably — he would have been let off with a caution, though a proper verdict would have been a term of retirement. There is absolutely no excuse for a hbrse to run* wide, as by so doing he covers extra ground, and is not talcing the shortest route to the winning post. The old tale of going out for the firm going has been worked outi- and should be put down with a firm hand. ' Another evil practice is for the rider of the leader to give the next horse several smart cuts across the nose, and so cause him to throw up his head and alter; his stride. This causes him t o lose a length or so, which is a serious item at the end of a race. An offence of this description is hard to detect, as the guilty rider appears to be striking his own mount. Those who adopt the Sloan style of riaing are sometimes hard put to it to stop an opponent. A true Sloaner does not carry a whip, and if his opponent is level with him he cannot be run out. The methods used m this case are to take hold of oneside of the other horse's bridle and give it a couple of severe tugs. This will usually have the effect ofthrowing the horse out of his stride and gain an advantage to th© other horse. These are only a few of the tricks tbat are constantly being resorted t 0 to-day, and it is hoped that, by drawing attention to them that a stoppage will bo effected. ' "Truth" does not believe m the kid gloves altogether, but an improvement is greatly needed O n presentday methods..