TROTTING Mobile Barrier Start Was A Great Success

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28445, 27 November 1957, Page 4

TROTTING Mobile Barrier Start Was A Great Success

The mobile starting barrier, which is to be used next at New Brightori on December 7 and then at Gore on December 26, was given a thorough test when it was used for the first time In the South Island to start the New Zealand Flying Stakes at Addington on Saturday.

Those operating the barrier, and also club and New Zealand Trotting Conference officials learned a lot on Saturday. Several small faults were disclosed, but the compensation for these was the success of the start. The Metropolitan Club originally selected 13 horses to start in the race, three being required to start from the second line. Such a large number of horses starting in the middle of a bend appeared to be too great, but fortunately there were three scratchings, doing away with any second line. After seeing Saturday’s start it would seem that a second line would be practical where races were started in a straight. However, this would make the task of the outside horses even more difficult than when there is but one line. Safety requires that the ends of the barrier arms are some little distance from the fences. On Saturday, J. D. Litten sent False Step through the gap on the inside just before the starting point, at which stage he was almost a length in front of the others, which held behind the barrier arms. Also, F. G. Holmes, with Adorian, which drew near the outside, had pulled his horse down on the inside some 50 yards before reaching the starting point. Stern action will have to be taken against drivers who in future fail to make every effort to start from their proper barrier positions. Widespread Use Likely It now remains to be seen how many races are going to be run each season from a flying start. It seems possible that with the success of the Addington race a number of clubs will seek to use the mobile barrier. The Bay of Plenty Trotting Club intends including a race for two-year-olds on its programme in January and, subject to the approval of the conference it will be from a flying start. The possibility of obtaining a good start in a race for two-year-olds will depend on the number of practice runs the horses have behind the barrier before the race. While it must be remembered that most standing starts in juvenile events are ragged, it will depend largely on the demands of the starter whether or not a field is recalled if the horses are not in good line. If more than one attempt has to be made to start a field of two-year-olds, the horses could easily become upset. Another factor requiring consideration is the effect a large number of sprint races from flying starts would have on the handicapping system. If the sprint races are for intermediate or fast-class horses, one handican race for a slow-class field may be deleted from programmes. Such a situation arose a few years ago when free-for-alls were run extensively throughout New Zealand. Finally, most clubs dropped them when they found they were being dominated by Johnny Globe. While his appearance at their meetings proved a draw, committees decided that the reduced betting in races in which he was engaged did not warrant running such, races. Reduced Opportunities It was at this time that the number of free-for-alls provided reduced the number of handicap events available with a result that insufficient horses were graduating through to the best company. It took quite some time after the free-for-all events were reduced in number for the position to right itself. On the other hand it is possible that in years to .come the mobile barrier will be used throughout the country under a different system of handicapping. Whether a system similar to that used in the United States would prove successful in this country, where there is such a limited number of permits, seems doubtful. However, there is little doubt that a successful system could be evolved. A better line on the capabilities of the barrier will probablv obtained at the New Brighton meeting next we°k. The club hopes to arrange for all the horses engaged in the race to narade behind the barrier next Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock. The mile start at New Brighton is situated a few vards before the winning post. The horses will have'a straight run of up to two

furlongs to this point, and then there will be almost three-quarters of a furlong before the first bend is reached. This will give the outside horses a much .better chance than they had on the bend at Addington. Also, it is probable that there will be a stronger field at New Brighton. Among the horses which were not engaged at Addington but are likely to start at New Brighton are Tactician, which has a mile record of imin 59 4-ssec, the New Zealand Cup winner. Lookaway, and the brilliant pacer. Local Light. Their meeting with Caduceus, False Step, and Don Hall, the place-getters in last Saturday’s race, should be one of the highlights of the season.