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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 249, 2 May 1895, Page 8

An American colt by Macduff has the appropriate name of Lay On. The English turf writer, “ Rapier,’’ some time ago pronounced the starting machine idea unworkable, and u Ranger,” his successor on the Sporting and Dramatic News, is evidently of the some mind. Ina recent issue of his journal he writes :—“ The starting machine is an arrangement that, for many reasons, is never likely to be used in this country. In Australia horses are started from a standstill, instead of from a walk as with us, which of course makes a great difference. But even under these conditions, it appears that the mechanical starter does not give satisfaction upon all occasions. I must say that, judging by the photographs that I have seen of the various apparatus in use on the different courses, this does not surprise me in the least. Some time back, commenting upon its first intioduction, the opinion was expressed in these Notes that the sight of an ungainly barrier o f ropes and canvas suddenly whisking upwards into the air would —at any rate in this country—be eminently calculated to upset the nerves of a field of horses, especially skittish two-year-olds. That this opinion was not very far wrong, and that the disposition of horses is much the same all the world over, is shown by the fullowing extract which I take from the Sydney Referee -. ‘ Creme d’Or went out favourite for the Two-Year-Old Handicap, Patrona —a brother to Patron and Ruenalf —being well backed. The favourite declined to face the barrier, and was restive at the post, as also were Patrona and Bona-fide, who broke away once. When the barrier was raised Bona-fide went away with a strong lead, which shows that the starting machine does not do all that is claimd for it in making a level start.’ ”