BACKING A WINNER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1578, 5 March 1919, Page 7

BACKING A WINNER.

New Zealanders are great sports. They will travel hundreds of miles to see a contest of speed and endurance. When Desert Gold is going to meet Gloaming in a test of endurance and speed, there is a flutter of excitement in Ao-te-a-roa and Wai-pounainu and from the North Cape to the Bluff. How much ; excitement would there be if it was definitely known that one of 'em had been doped? They wouldn't go a yard to see the finost racehorse that ever looked through a bridle if the man with the needle had been there first. In all tests and contests — in racing, in running, in boxing, in rowing, in riding—directly there is a suspicion of dope, the knowing one gets from, under. Alcohol is dope. The alcoholist is beaten before lie steps into, the arona against an opponent who has "trained clean." When Shaekleton heads for the Pole he takes not ©no ounce of alcohol in the cargo—not one ounce. Ho kndws better. And yet there are people who can't walk two blocks on a cold day without wanting a stimulant—a dope! What funny little people some ofius are! .7