"I'm Not A Basher" Use Of The Whip Defended

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 86, 12 April 1941, Page 5 (Supplement)

"I'm Not A Basher" Use Of The Whip Defended

n£OPLE wh° »y that 1 am a basher rider don't know what l they arc talking about. think I have deceived them, as you W ° DOt Unwittin « , y any love them too much, but I have a duty to nunters - an d trainer of my mount, and if I think it J . ,

,0 amuses m« to hen r people say '.jjjtonce I ride a horse in a punishiiifh it will never come "P and

traces again. *,t is too ridiculous for words, ■jit have a look at some of the horses had to ride right out and see ,j eV have ever been so seriously that they've had to be retired.

LReading- He is a sour customer Ln must let him know you are Lor else lie "ill loaf.

, ;tt pan was another who had to bp ridden to keep his mind on tlie

[niter hit a horse hard unlrss it is Lielv necessary. If I f«H*l it is tiot Lling I P ut tlin w,l 'l > :lua . v - 'J'lii'i-o r„ se in belting away at a tired L That would lie sliwr brutality, C there is nothing like that in my ite-np-

lb always particularly jrontln with Lrear-olds. There is no iloiiht that Liter's career roulrt be ruined if li'wre too hard on it.

[fadthat the best way to get results g juveniles is to give them one jam cut and then shake the whip ,t m th« rest of the way. |jjink that even on older horses I jte ma"? P eo P l 0 t ' le stands, mthey think I am dealing out punjjt lam only flicking the whip. I -lis in such a way that it really has though I am striking the horse. jIIMYS like to ride a horse who till respond to my efforts in pre„s to one who will try to lead all 'ny and then shut up when chald

jar and all as lie is. it is a pleasure jje Reading. I think he is the sit horse I have ever been on, and ione of the best finishers, lie put tie performance of his career in Eiug the A.J.C. Derby. I had to Iftn with the whip for a furlong 11 half when High Caste ran to ft half a length of me in the ijit. laling never once faltered and went i a richly-deserved victory. When tlmy friends about that win they lie what type of races I like riding Kt. fill, after all, riding is my job, and races are alike, but I get most ere out of contesting weight-for-mats. The reason is that in these live to use your brains. Tactics, ut always the horse, succeed In jtfor-aga events. Generally fields 'snail, with the best horses and iiidera engaged. Each jockey is trylo out-think the other.

I ;, 19 • dnit man . v valuable hints in 111 n ° r f for-a ff e races. Bar e ZV the da - v that Ted on %r T 6 OVer , m °- Tt the Li march Whi «* -on on

t. ~ Mell ln tho early stages Then ito Xr\ that 1 " aS tr - vi »" «" steal he rare so be sooled T.imarch a lon- ;i ,hl all over again. aS <hc duel

break' / I m '" bt 1 <,0,1,f1 not get a at it' H i M Ca i SC Limarch ke Pt liim it Hall Mark was done five from home, and weakened.

if I RnrM UId l h ? Ve bee " a (li ' r, ' re,lt s torV Battle had not Ix-en awake to mv plans to steal it oft' him.

While on this subject I would like to answer a well-wisher from Newtown lias asked me to name my list of best jockeys. This is rather hard, and if I have omitted any names I hope I nave not offended anybodv.

Here is mv list: —

In New South Wales.—E. Bartle M McC'arten, W. Cook, A. Knox, E. 'MeMenamin, F. Sliean, R. Parsons, J lhompson, J. Coutts and H. Hughes. In Victoria.—H. Badger, A. Dewhurst r easley ' N - Creighton, 0. Phillips! J. OBrien, W. Elliot and E. Preston

In Queensland.—W. Briscoe

I have ponsulted my brother Jim on the matter, and he agrees with me. He also adds that in his opinion the riders I have named would more than hold their own in any part of the world.

The same well-wisher raised the question whether apprentices are getting too much riding at the expense of more experienced jockeys. He puts this down to the C.7 minimum. Frankly I don't agree with such a low minimum. I think it could safely be raised to 7.7, and I think this would he to everybody's a'vantage.

It would give all jockeys a chance to get mounts. It would improve living for jockeys because they would not have to waste so rigorously and they would be stronger and able to do their mounts more justice.

Without mentioning names I have seen riders who have had to waste shape like a novice in a race. Raising the minimum would not interfere with the prospects of apprentices. Owners would have to give them their share of mounts to claim an allowance. This often means the difference between victory and defeat. I don't like riding in races where there are too many apprentices.