TROTTING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25562, 15 June 1944, Page 7

TROTTING NOTES

By Sentinel

Max Baer is on the limit mark, in the Otipua Handicap at Timaru, and he is entitled to be favourite. He won at the Wellington Trotting Club's meeting at Trentham, and followed this up with a very easy win at the Ashburton Racing Club’s meeting. He is one of M Holmes's team.

The proposal to impose an age limit on those entitled to hold a trotting driver’s licence may have a great deal to recommend it,, but a veteran reinsman might reach the age limitation and yet prove much more capable than others half his age Fitness for riding or reinsmanship is not a question of age. It depends on nerve and eyesight, plus the knowledge based on capable tuition. A young driver may be a much greater source of trouble and danger in a race than others with the veteran brand on their licence. A nervous or short-sighted driver is the most dangerous element in a field, large or small. He is in continual fear of striking trouble, and is very apt to create it solely through nervousness in attempts to keep clear on the near side, thus causing trouble on the off side.. Drivers should be tested for eyesight, and the stipendiary stewards should be able to locate those affected by nervousness.