SCHOOL FOR JOCKEYS

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 55, 6 March 1937, Page 13 (Supplement)

SCHOOL FOR JOCKEYS

TRAINING OF APPRENTICES DIET MOST IMPORTANT IMPROVING PHYSICAL FITNESS Compared with the lads of 20 years ago, the apprentice jockey of the present day has a much better chance to acquire knowledge and a training to fit him for the battle of life. At the Apprentices’ School, which reopened in Sydney last week after the Christmas vacation, classes are held to improve the apprentices' standard of education, and a library, which was started with the school, is being built up from time to time. Defective eyesight no longer passes unnoticed as there are periodical tests by competent medical authorities. The apprentices are fortunate, too, in that they receive dental advice. A very important subject for the would-be lightweight rider is that of diet.

Many a crack rider of former years has impaired his health by wrong methods of weight reducing. The lads who attend the apprentice’ school to-day have diet rules available to them in a type-written circular, which says:—•

Foods to be avoided: Fat meats of any kind, ham, pork, fritz, duck and goose must not be used.—Bread and cereals, biscuits, pastry, cakes and toast.

If bread is indispensable, rusks—free from starch or sugar (diabetic bread may be used).

Potatoes, broad bean, peas, lentils, carrots, turnips, artichokes, bananas, grapes, raisins, dates, dried fruits, nuts (ai kinds), figs, milk, cheese, cream and all such weight-producing foods.

Take as little liquid of any kind as possible, and not within one hour before or after a meal, hot water in small quantities, or weak tea without miik or sugar will be found advantageous.

Foods allowed: Lean meats, fish (boiled, not fried), chicken, turkey, rabbit, game (not duck or hare), grills (lean).

Lettuce, cauliflower, spinach, kale, silver beet, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, melons (all kinds), French beans, cabbage, radish cucumber. Oranges, apples, watermelon, strawberries, loganberries, gooseberries, loquats, passionfruit.

If the above chart is strictly adhered to, it will usually be found that, even though the weight may not be substantially reduced, the natural increase will be considerably arrested. Many riders have derived much benefit by following this course, at no expense to their general health and strength. Wasting; In the event of additional reduction for a specific occasion being required the old-fashioned method of “starve and sweat’’ is the most safe and satisfactory—the practice of indulging in heavy doses of physic cannot be recommended, as such a course dertcast considerably from the strength and vigour, and in addition has such a weakening effect on the internal organs that frequently difficulty Is experienced in adjusting them to function normally, although a very light dose of opening medicine at tile beginning of the ‘‘waste’’ may be advantageous.

The common procedure of taking long walks and runs clad in heavy clothing is quite all right, but much energy is wasted in this process which might be turned to some productive account.

The same result would be achieved if, for instance, the person wasting put on heavy sweaters while dressing his horse or horses, or perhaps get to the wood heap or maybe dig the garden, in fact any kind of work which would show something for the energy expended.

For removing the last one or two pounds (which naturally are the most obstinate) a Turkish bath' on the morning of the race will be found beneficial, as not only is the weight reduced thereby, but it has an exhilarating and invigorating effect. These baths should not be taken indiscriminately, as it will very soon be found, if over-indulgence in them is permitted, that the muscles will become weak and flatulent.