WEBSTER'S TRAINING METHODS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 237, 7 October 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

WEBSTER'S TRAINING METHODS.

A. D. Webster, the New Zealand trainer, who saddled Inflation for the Epsom Handicap at Sydney on September 30, _ is equally as well known in Australia- as ho is in his own country, writes an Australian sporting scribe. For many years he has been making periodical visits to Sydney, and has dealt the ring some heavy blows. Webster's greatest thrill was when he won the Prince of Wales' Hurdles with Fisher at Randwick years ago. He has since won many important events, chiefly with the "Iron Horse," First Acre. He purchased that gelding- as a yearling for 42gs and won over £10,000 in stakes with him. First Acre, who is now pensioned off, made IS trips across the Tasman, and still holds the mile and three-quarters record (2.56 A- —established at Flemington in 1030.

Doug. Webster knows his horses thoroughly, but he never mollycoddles them. This is reflected in tlieir appearance. He believes in fresh air treatment, and his stables at Moorefield are so situated that the question of "housing" is left entirely to the discretion of the horses themselves.

"Horses are not fools," says Webster. "It doesn't matter how attractive you make the box or the bedding, the averago horse prefers to lie down in the yard. If it is raining, or the yard is not sheltered, he has the good sense to

get out of the wet, which, after all, is about the only time a horse with a strong constitution and good healthy lungs should take refuge in a box."