Reply On Barrier

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32082, 2 September 1969, Page 4

Reply On Barrier

"The highly complex problem of speed round the bend In mobile starts Is out of the realms of precise knowledge," says "D.M.L.," whose calculations on the various speeds of horses racing round bends behind the mobile barrier published last week were challenged by Mr C. H. G. Irvine, of Lincoln. "Any figures produced, no matter how mathematically correct, can only, as assumptions based on constants, be Illustrative of the basic truth that the outside horse must accelerate while the inside one is retarded.

"There is no known system of mathematics by which one can accurately calculate the •peed of a horae an unknown diMance from a vehicle a nonconstant distance from the rails, accelerating at an unknown rate from an unknown speed, tor an unknown distance—all these factors being capable of variation not only from track to track, but also from race te race. "To apply a flat distance measurement to a circle la, I admit, a gross mathematical over-slmpllllcation. However, while enabling tbe average person in tne present instance to visualise the basic truth, I hoped at the same time to invite the more mathematically minded to explore in greater depth the handicap imposed on the outside horse.

"Obviously, the only fair course is for each club to imeasure and publish the distances of their own widelyvarying. pre-officlal-start penlaities.