TWO-YEAR-OLD RACING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3085, 30 April 1913, Page 49

TWO-YEAR-OLD RACING.

The racing oi tile tuo-year-oiu continues to be vvanaiy discussed m Australia, especially in New Boutli Wales, where so much is seen of the young thoroughbred. “Milroy,” of the Sydney Mail, in the course of a recent article, writes;—“lt is absurd to suppose that, because odd people rail against two-year-old racing, it should bo abolished altogether. There is no objection to racing youngsters in moderation at that age, but not early in the season, it is equally absurd for anybody to sucrose that the racing of a 20 to 24 months old foal does not seriously affect it and create degeneration. A man may be a great scientist m many things, and a tool among horses; it does not follow that because a man is a scientist he must be an authority on horseracing or horses of any sort But few scientists will assert that over-doing a baby with strenuous tasks will improve its productive powers later, i know nothing about the conditions in England. Two-year-old racing may improve the breed there; but I would not gamble against it. I claim to know a little about Australian affairs, and I am certain fully 50 per cent, of the yearlings annually sold in Sydney are absolutely ruined before they have lost their milk teeth. Trainers and owners are blamed; but we should blame the system. A majority of foals are dropped between the beginning of September and the finish of October, and two-year-old racing starts in October. Many of the runners are not actually two years old then. If they were loft till April there would not be much to urge against racing them lightly; but October is too early. When Bcrragoon won the Breeders’ Plate last spring at Randwick he was five days short of two years old; and Athonic, whom I expected to win that race, was a month and two days short of two years. Berragoon was foaled on October 8. Athcnic on November 5. Andelosia came on October 19, and Eubulus on October 14. Those were the most prominent performers in the spring. Radnor came on October 15, but-was kept until the autumn, and he beat all the spring winners, except Athonic. Is it fair to expect any horse to properly develop its powers if punched out to the bitter end before it is actually two years old?”