ROTTEN GEAR.

NZ Truth, 15 March 1924, Page 10

ROTTEN GEAR.

We hear, a lo.t about trainers and lockeys going out with rotten gear and having to put up- with perhaps losing a decent stake, but a new one m the accident' line came to light at Blenheim last week. The last race the first day saw Bonecto a good favorite and on paper he looked unbeatable. He was on the outer at the start and jumping away a bit too smartly caught the tape. In ordinary circumstances this would have lost him a few lengths, but m this particular instance he stopped at the post with the outside barrier post swinging around his. head! The post was rotten at the ground and the extra bit of weight on it snapped it off. The horse returned to the birdcage with a nice welt on his neck and lucky to get off with Qjily that. A meeting of the stewards round the occurrence accidental.. Naturally it was accidental, but that is hot much to the punters, let alone , the owner, trainer and jockey, lt looks to this writer a case of gross carelessness on the part ; of .soma employee and also on the part . of the stewards set,--down;'to look .after the- starling 1 : A^kicK would have sent the post, a five by f our beech, over and ; surely it is not asking too much to havo some responsible official to try out the gear on the first morning of the meeting. It Is recognised that an accident of this, nature only happens once ln a decade, but why allow it at all when a few minutes overhaul would be the means of preventing.it? The least the club can do is to refund nomination, acceptance - and riding fees to the owner, *who was prevented by its negligence from getting a run.