DRAW AT THE BARRIER

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 123, 20 November 1935, Page 8

DRAW AT THE BARRIER

Although horses who have drawn outside marbles have occasionally won clown the Riccarton six furlongs course, the general view is that horses who start from inside positions hold a decided advantage, writes "Sentinel." Knockfin drew No. 9 in this year's Stewards', however, and Silver Streak actually drew the outside of the field of fourteen for the Members' Handicap last Saturday, though Tizzy was placed outside him. Nevertheless, the early leaders in the Stewards' Handicap and the Members' Handicap respectively were principally comprised of horses starting from positions near the rails, and Silver Streak's success in the latter race was enhanced by starting from where he did.

It takes an exceptionally brilliant horse to win from the extreme outside, and the only winners of the Stewards' Handicap starting from the outside, that can be called to mind are Glentruin in her first win and Autopay. If eight or ten horses near the rails can hold their position to the turn into the straight those on the outside must be forced to cover extra ground.

O. Cox's stable at Hawera. Recent reports o£ her track work have been good, and as a filly who last autumn could give Sunce a stone and a beating after he had won the champion hack event at Trentham she lias thor-oughly-proven ability. Ephialtcs's recent start was his first since his return from Sydney last year, so one would not. anticipate clanger from him: and Lord Moutoa. though a useful hack is hardly an open-company horse yet, though he won among the hacks on the course in June.