THE USE OF THE WATCH

Otago Witness, Issue 2412, 24 May 1900, Page 38

THE USE OF THE WATCH

The English scribe " Ranger " says that one leading element; in the success of American jockeys in England undoubtedly arises from an intimate knowledge and constant practice of a manciple of training and riding which has niet with little but derisive ridicule, it not round ' abuse, from British turfites for years ; the despisod. but at the same time — would the " 8.T." aforesaid only study it— absolutely invaluable time test ; - for to a trainer it should be, properly used, absolutely invaluable. By its means he can -say, to a certainty, how his horse is going in his work; of course, granted that the jockey or rider employed for the gallop understands what he has to do. Now, all concerned in the management of racehorbes in the colonies, the East, and, above all, in America, underacand the work of " the clock," and the American jockeys are brought up on it, os they show in the way they run their races through. As a matter of fact, a large proportion of their failures last year are traceable t 0 a disregard of the system, the leading principle of which is getting to the other end in fair and proper time, the proper attention to -which, seems to have been the chief factor in their successes. Racing is conducted in this country, however, on such ultra-conservative lines that it seems hopeless to recommend so radical an innovation. Nevertheless, there can' be little doubt but that a great deal, is to be learn L from "across the ocean," " down under," and even from the far too " Sunny East." Tlfe pioneers of reformation hsve been at work some time, and are at work now. They aie all here, first stuft horses, then starring gates, jockeys and trainer: — trainers with their "clock«," remember! Yes, "the clock" will come, and will stay, too ; and what will the poor tout do then, poor chap? For, as the writer of these lines, who has had an experistice of many years of "the clock " and its influence In the distant countries mentioned, well knows, it takes considerable aptitude and perfect sang froid to "cake time" at all; so even the clever and cunning will be "bamboozled," as they often are in the countries afore-mentioned, where* all the training of every competitor — for there are no downs or wolds in those parts — takes placa on the course itself. If only our jockeys and stable boys learn to ride a mile and a-half gallop by furlongs agoinst the clock, it will prove a distinct advantage lo them, and they need not then fear the- American invasion.