ROMANS at the RACES

Cue (NZERS), Issue 14, 31 December 1944, Page 31

ROMANS at the RACES

— By

fntrHERfEAS chariot racing capiiW vated the Roman population

inthe days of the great Emperors, racing in which the sulky replaces the chariot has its place in the presentday mosaic life in Rome. Ardent New Zealand racegoers among servicemen on leave in the City have made acquaintance with the sport —both racing and trotting-possibly to analyse its conditions in comparison with

those ruling bach home.

Every Thursday and Sunday afternoon an increasing legion of Allied uniforms is to be found mingling with the vast crowds at La Gloria trotting track, located on the banks of the Tiber some two miles from the heart of Rome. Admission at the turn-stiles costs the soldier 30 lire (1/6) and the programme only two lire (little more than id.). While there are no lawns and few flower beds, trees add beauty to the setting and provide shelter from sun or squall. In the enclosure and outside alike, one walks everywhere on concrete /. or -asphalt. Ornate statues and fountains for once are missing.

: Modern concrete grandstands are attractively appointed and provide efficient refreshment bars and buffets. In the main stand, the box once occupied at major carnivals by Mussolini has often of late been commandeered by parties of New Zealanders. From there, they can cast a critical eye

over the passing parade of signorinas, attired in the height of Roman fashion, which would certainly interest New Zealand womenfolk.

It is a curious but historic ~ custom that a Roman never takes his wife to the races. This custom is believed to have originated from the celebrated Rape of the Sabine Women, when the Romans invited their Sabine neighbours to a friendly gathering and then carried off their wives.

There is no birdcage or saddling paddock, and the horses do a very brief preliminary for the benefit of punters. Betting is always heavy, but there is no electric barometer to indicate how the money is going on the totalisator. Bets are accepted from 10 to 500 lire under three systemsfirst and second horses, win and place, and "doubles” on first horses in two events. Moreover, the "tote” remains open until the race begins. <

When a successful punter goes to collect, disappointment is the general result. The average dividend is worth about twice the investment. The best recorded over several meetings was 112 lire for 10 (less than 6/- for 6d.). One Kiwi picked a double. Both horses won. He was handsomely rewarded with no lire for his bet of 100 or 6d. profit on his 5/- outlay!

An Italian-born guide, employed by the N.Z. Forces Club in Rome, took

a party of sight-seers to the trotting one day. He picked every winner and his tips were put to the test in a double. Oh a 10 lire bet the party gained a dividend of 800 lire.

The course has many features that are strange to New Zealand trotting followers. Its circuit is only about half a mile, and the track is constructed of concrete, topped with about four inches of loose sand. This is hard on the horses, which are often lame after one race, while their, entire racing life does not extend beyond three seasons. Nor is the track fast, but on the other hand it does not suffer from the weather. ■)

Another feature unknown to New Zealand courses is the low brush hedge, about 18 ins. tall, replacing the inside white-painted /wooden railing. Fields average seven starters, and distances range from three-quarters to a mile and a quarter. Handicapping is identical with the system in vogue in the Dominion, but there is no standing start. The horses are circled about 50 yards from the wire and walked in to the start.

Strict trotting and no pacing is witnessed. The horses, well-groomed and all originally of English strain, show little tendency to break, no matter how hard they are pushed. Few outstanding horses are found, and the majority

woud be suitable opposition for average trotting company in New Zealand. Lack of correct food is a problem to trainers at present. Bran and hay form the main diet, but the horses are well treated and comfortably stabled.

Drivers wear colours, as in New Zealand but their uniform differs. White riding breeches and black legging boots are worn in place of the New Zealand drivers’ preference for long white trousers. Sulkies are a credit to the grooms. Hopples are never in evidence.

Perhaps, the most difficult task in trying to do as the Romans do at the races is to refrain from yelling "They’re off!” For here there is an inexplicable restraint'in a people otherwise so temperamental. As the race starts, a complete hush appears >to fall over the crowd. It is even deemed unseemly to cheer one’s,/favourite on to victory, except very discreetly when the horses are within a few yards of the . post.

No gay clerk of the course in scarlet hunting habit rides out to lead in the victor. No band plays sprightly airs in keeping with the occasion. But in all other respects a day at the trots in Rome is, after all, very little different from a normal meeting at Epsom, Hutt Park, Addington or Forbury Park.