Rhett’s Law at No. 3

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 33

Rhett’s Law at No. 3

NZPA Perth The vastly-improved West Australian pacer, Rhett’s Law;, firmed to second favourite yesterday for the $160,000 Inter-Dominion Pacing final when he ; drew the ideal barrier position of No. 3 for the final on'Friday evening. Popular Alm (Victoria) retains 6-3 to 4 favouritism for the championship. - His. connections requested that he be excluded from the draw. His driver Viri Knight, concerned at Popular. Aim’s barrier manners, felt that his horse’s chances of beginning safely would be improved by starting him from the second row. It was a bold move which brought mixed reactidhs. The chief steward Ray Murrihy said: “I was mildly surprised at the request. Most people feel that you should not throw away the opportunity of a good'front row draw at Gloucester Park.

“However it is in the best interests of the race that Popular Alm and the mare, Burrows, have been excluded from the draw and will start from the back row.” It is generally accepted in trotting circles that horses have better prospects of leaving a standing start from the second row, following other horses away, than from the front row. With that in mind. Knight asked stewards to exclude Popular Alm from the barrier, draw, sacrificing a front row position to have a better chance, of a safe beginning. Knight said: “I wouldn’t have thoiight'of doing it if he had not broken on the second night of the series.” A leading Perth bookmaker, John Kirkpatrick, said; “It was a smart move by Popular Aim’s connections. It gives him a great chance. I think he was a risk from the front row.”