Steel and Whipcord.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7197, 4 February 1892, Page 2

Steel and Whipcord.

At Riccarton, on Saturday, the jockey Clark was called before the Stewards to explain what the officials considered hiß suspicious riding on Cajolery in the HornbyWelter Handicap. It appeared to the Stewards, so we are informed, that Clark did not make a sufficiently determined effort to win the race, and neglected an opportunity to get through his horses when two or three hundred yards from the Jadge'e box. This may be the correct view of the circumstances, but from our own knowledge of the jockey and the hor6e, and our observation of the race, we are inclined to think that Clark made every reasonable effort to persuade the horseto gallop, and only left off riding when pursuit became hopeleas and punishment would have been worse than uaeless cruelty. But there is no need to enter upon a defence of the jockey, as the Stewards were apparently satisfied with his explanation, and he was, in the language of a higher court, discharged without a stain upon his character. We should like, however, to refer to s matter which is suggested by thiß enquiry. It is impossible to visit any race meeting in the Colony without noticing the large amount of very unnecessary punishment which is administered to beaten horses. The offending jockeyß, when remonstrated with say, " Oh, but if we didn't use the whip, the Stewards would think we weren't trying." This is not very complimentary to the judgment of the Stewards, but it is, we believe, very true in its application to many officials. Boys are always too ready to use their whips ; and when the terror of disqualification is added to the natural excitement of a raoe, the poor dumb brutes which provide our sport, are the victims of an amount of misplaced zeal which is a disgrace to the turf.