LOADED SHOES

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1934, Page 21

LOADED SHOES

LATEST SENSATION

. (From "Vedette.") SYDNEY, May 3. Batteries and "dope," their use and misuse having been worked out as themes tor racing sensations, loaded shoes are now Aie yellow subjects. The finding of a loaded shoe or racing plate at Moorefield some weeks ago has caused the A.J.C. to tighten up its "regulations considerably. The first move was the employment of a master-farrier to inspect the feet of all horses when they go out to race. This was not deemed sufficient; for a. number of horses for various reasons- are plated in their stables, usually the nervous type who give a lot of trouble it plated on the course.

Now- any horse plated in the stable has to have his name submitted to the stewards, at least one hour before the time of the race in which, the horse is engaged.

This latest regulation is not only a cheek on the possible use of "sinkers" but on the dangerous cutting plates with sharp edges.

A good deal of fuss hag been made in the sensational papers over these matters a_nd some wild statements have been published. Investigation has shown, however, that while certain individuals have been reckless generally, they have not been able to name any specific cases. One such statement was that a special factory was turning out lead-filled aluminium plates by the gross, but so far the factory has not been located.

While a small section of Turf desperadoes may now talce a chance on loaded shoes, the authorities consider that they are a very" small minority who have everything to gain and nothing to lose by commit^ ting such a breach. All the same no chances arc being taken, by the superjasing bod&,