Mobile Starting Gate For Use At Addington

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29766, 8 March 1962, Page 5

Mobile Starting Gate For Use At Addington

A mobile starting gate which has been developed by the Canterbury Park Trotting Club on the same lines as the American starting gates, will be used for the first time at the club's winter meeting in May. It is planned to devote half the programme to races started with the gate. The innovation is the outcome of much thought, study, and extensive inquiry in other countries over a considerable period The Canterbury Park programme committee's decision means changes in the handicapping system and the traditional standing starts, both of which have been criticised by a growing number of owners and trainers

The standing start has been criticised particularly by owners, trainers and followers of the sport who have visited America and those parts of Australia where the mobile starting gate is in regular use. They believe the standing start is a severe handicap to young horses in particular, because they not only have to learn to stand still at the barrier, but are expected to muster speed and keep their gait immediately. The top American trainers and drivers. D. Miller and E Cobb, on their visit to New Zealand last year, were

sympathetic and charitable about New Zealand's standing start and long handicaps; but it was easy to see that they considered New Zealand years behind the times. Cobb shook his head ruefully when discussing False Step’s long mark in the 1961 Inter-Dominion series. “That horse must have a heart as big as himself," he said. “It’s a wonder he doesn't want to head for the barn long before the finish.” Mr I Rudd. publicity officer for Yonkers Raceway, commented: "I would like to see the mobile gate introduced into your country. It was the salvation of our harness racing and there would be no trotting in America today, as we know it now. were it not for this invention."