THE ELLERSLIE EPISODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20072, 9 October 1928, Page 14

THE ELLERSLIE EPISODE.

Sir.-j-So long as the public are allowed to crowd round the starting post at fho races, there will lie the danger of a repetition of ,Saturday's trouble This can be altered by tlio racing authorities making a rule that none of the public shall be allowed within 100 yds of the starting post on race days, as there is no doubt it was the calls from the crowd that caused the confusion, otherwise there was nothing unusual in the start. The lucky investors on Mashoor should give a percentage to his plucky rider. Dividend. Sir,—The racing authorities might reasonably consider the provision of a method by which the starter could "recall the field" if in his opinion, "whatever the cause," a fair start had not been effected. At present his only method is the crude one of shouting to the riders. If he bad a small red tlag on a stick at the baiiiei close to his hand he could raise it as a signal to an assistant stationed 100 yds to 150 yds. in front of "the starting point" inside the rail, who would push out a light 6ft. stick with the red signal flag on the ' end, signifying a "false start." The jockeys, the general public, and, I think, Mr. O'Connor himself—my friend of 25 years' standing—would all welcome any method which eliminates such situations as evidenced the start of the Mitchelson Cup last Saturday. An electrical device would come in time. C.F.J.

Sir.—l hold no brief for the starter or the clerk of the course of the A.R.C. The former marie a very serious mistake in the start of the Ladies' Bracelet, and the latter in the start for the Mitchelson Cup. The, blame, however, should be placed where it belongs, viz.. with the officials of the A.R.C. At present the only means of notifying a false start appears to be per medium of a yell by the starter. It may or may not come off. Is the A.R.C. so bankrupt of ideas that it cannot better this? I would suggest two red discs, which could bo clamped on the rails, one by the starter's right hand and a larger one about a furlong along the course, both parallel to the course, hut capable of being swung out on a hinge at right angles to the course. On a false start being made the starter has merely to turn his disc out and this is immediately copied by the attendant working the larger disc up the course. A wigwag worked by the attendant would be an improvement and make certain of drawing the attention of jockeys, officials and public alike to a false start. I need hardly say that the cost would be a mere bagatelle. On a racecourse the sense of sight is much more reliable than the sense of hearing. C.K..

Sir, —While deploring at all times such unfortunate disturbances as occurred at Ellerslie on Saturday, I think one cac safely say the whole root of tile trouble lies with the Auckland Racing Club themsolves by their downright autocratic and conservative methods of treating the public. Tho A.R.C. is the wealthiest racing club in New Zealand, if not in Australasia. They have so much money '(hev don't know where to spend it first; and who pay for it? The public, and the public only Then why should not the public bo considered and treated accordingly ? This autocratic body of gentlemen were considering (and I think still arc) erecting an expensive and lavishlyfurnished new stand for members only, costing thousands. Yet the poor public who pay dearly for their sport away on the outside, have not a roof to their heads, rain as it might in bucketiuls. Two or three years ago it used to cost 3s 6d to get into the Leger enclosure. This has gradually increased, 6d being put on to the unfortunate racegoer about every other meeting, and now it stands at either 5s 6d or 6s. Is it any wonder the public are incensed ? Then that paltry business of erecting that high fence on the Ladies' Mile, to try and make those non-race-goers pay for their little flight of pleasure, was paltry in the extreme, and the talk of all decent sportsmen in clubs and street corners. That flimsy excuse of the horses getting frightened at the jumps we know to be "moonshine." as a roan is stationed at each jump on the hill and the public are not allowed within yards of it. Ellerslie racegoers are fed up with having to pay the piper while their money is spent in thousands by the A.R.C. in other directions. Even a worm will turn. E. L. Anseix.