OVERSIGHT BY OFFICIALS

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32458, 19 November 1970, Page 9

OVERSIGHT BY OFFICIALS

The addition of a nose flap to the harness of Sassenach had the desired effect and the speedy foifr-year-old ran out a decisive winner in the Hayward Handicap at Addingtori Raceway on Tuesday. However, his success was not appreciated by some in the crowd, most of whom were left in ignorance of the fact that there had been an addition to the horse’s gear. Sassenach was the beaten favourite in the Empire Handicap on cup day, and last Friday he was the 2,4 fav-

ourite in the Cashmere Handicap. In both races he threw his head about badly and gave R. Young a very difficult drive. On Tuesday permission was given for a nose flap to be worn by Sassenach, this being an attempt by his trainer, J. H. Winter, to stop the horse throwing his head around when grit was tossed in his face by other runners. A nose flap had been tried previously without success, but not at this meeting. Reason given The change of gear was not relayed to the public and when asked for the reason for this the chief stipendiary steward (Mr L. A. Butterfield) said that he did not consider the addition of a nose flap was a “change of gear.” A change in some parts of the harness is apparently considered vital by the stipendiary stewards and the public is usually advised of these changes before races are run. However, this contention hardly ties in with another incident earlier in the season in which Sassenach’s driver was involved. Young was given permission for Royal Deeside, a member of his own team, to race with a boring pole to which was attached a plastic “pricker.” The fact that the horse was wearing this equipment was announced over the course public address system at Mr Butterfield’s direction. Tuesday’s omission may have been an oversight, but it is one which should not be allowed to occur again in the interests of good public relations. The addition of the nose flap, whether it is termed “equipment” or “gear,” certainly had the desired effect on Sassenach and the public were entitled to have been advised that permission had been given for its use.