RACE-RIDING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 107, 1 November 1941, Page 14

RACE-RIDING

QUALITY OF HORSEMEN

The standard of riding in several instances at the Wellington Spring Meeting was hardly of the highest, and unless active steps are taken to improve it the sport will be confronted with a grave danger. It was with a view to giving the lads attached to racing stables fitting tuition that the Racing Conference established riding schools at certain centres, and withdut doubt some good has resulted, but the range of benefit is too limited.

Since the outbreak of the war the ranks of riders, not only hurdle horsemen, but also jockeys who restrict their activities to flat-racing, have been steadily thinned owing to the calls to military service. Their absence has naturally weakened, the array of talent available to owners and trainers, and the filling of the breaches is likely to present difficulties, for it is doubtful whether many of those jockeys will be able to return to race-riding, for the tendency is for men to put on weight when undergoing army training. Thus, even if they are of the same inclination when they return they may find it an insurmountable obstacle when they attempt to reduce their weight in order to re-enter the profession which they originally follow.cd.

It is an ill wind, however, that' does not blow someone good, and the absence of those former prominent horsemen has enabled many lads to play more prominent roles than they might otherwise have done; indeed, more than-the ability of several merits. The natural question is: How can the polish be applied to the rough material? It is possibly too much to expect the stipendiary stewards to study the lads when in action and point out the error of their tactics, for those officials are busy looking for graver breaches, but it might be possible for an official to be appointed who is fitted to carry out such a duty. A former able horseman, but who is no longer in the Dominion, had the pleasure and satisfaction of preparing for their race-riding careers several lads who made names for themselves. It was his practice to study his lads during the races in which they were engaged and to later point out to them any errors in tactics they might have made, whether they were on a winning or a losing mount, but unfortunately this ability belongs to few. However, the authorities might find some way of assisting in knocking the rough corners off the lads who are today playing an increasingly important role in racing. Waiting for a direct breach of the rules, which may be followed by a penalty, is not the best method of overcoming the weakness so apparent at the present time.

After having put £100 on a horse at Victoria Park (S.A.), a backer was alarmed when the price of the horse was quoted later by other bookmakers at a much longer odds. He thought it peculiar, because the owner had put his customary small amount and the trainer was extremely confident. The backer told a stipendiary steward of the lengthening of the odds. The steward conferred, with the result that a telephonic message was received by another steward near the barrier. This official told the jockey of the horse in question what had happened in the betting ring, and added, "We will be watching you. Your horse can win, and we expect you to win." "Thank you, sir," said the jockey. The horse won.