Something of Racing in Russia, Daily Racing Form, 1911-07-19

article


view raw text

SOMETHING OF RACING IN RUSSIA. An English visitor to Moscow writes of his racing impressions: "I saw Pupc Gem run his lirst race in Russia. He was very much ubove himself, and was beaten a length by his solitary opponent, to whom he was giving 39 pounds, a racing-like grey four-year-old. The course Is an oblong of one mile and a half, and was In splendid condition, being covered with herli-ige. There were at least 100 men stationed at intervals with beaters similar to those used on a cricket pitch, and at the conclusion of each race they immediately got to work and filled up the foot-marks. "No betting is allowed except through the totalizator. They start with the gate, but are ranged up seme fifty to seventy yards behind same and come up to the barrier at a slow canter. Directly a good opportunity presents itself the tapes are released. In the event of one or more breaking away the tapes are only released to prevent the breaking through. This, however, only occurred twice during the two days r.cing I witnessed, and the starting was excellent. The largest field, however, was only eight, so possibly with a Newbury contingent more difficulty would be exierienccd. "Inside the race course proper is a trotting track, and interspersed with racing are trotting races, ridden in colors. "The stands and everything connected with the racing would boar comparison with any meeting in England. I have mentioned trotting. This, however, is not the Trotting Club of M6scow, but. as I was informed, these trotting matches are only Introduced as there are many who prefer trotting to racing. I attended three trotting meetings on the trotting track, which is adjacent to the race course, but is of sand. Crowds attend on all four days of the week 011 which trotting takes place, and It coBtinues all the year round."


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1911071901/drf1911071901_2_5
Local Identifier: drf1911071901_2_5
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800