view raw text
AUSTRALIAN IDEAS ABOUT RIDING. J. Scobie, well-known trainer, and once a noted jockey, who lias trained winners of so many classical races including thiftcen Derbys spread over various states possesses pronounced views on many matters connected with the sport. Asked his opinion regarding the crouch seat, .Mr. Scobie immediately made it apparent that he assumed no neutral attitude on the question. "They are riding much too short now. I do not object to a medium, but the old style was much superior to the present method of riding with the knees. Lewis is one of the old school and he retains his form. W. II. Smith and McLacli.au are riders who do not adopt the newer seat. Killorn is not too short and there are some others of the older school. In a finish these jockeys can be relied on, because l hey can control their horses, but the others cannot. "The Tod Sloan scat is particularly bad to adopt witli two-year-olds. Their mouths are sioiled and they become irritable. In small fields and short distances, if a rider can go to the front and retain the lead, it is not so bad, but in large fields It Is dangerous, and I lielievc there will be a big smash sooner or later as a result of the monkey -on-the-stlek style of riding. "It Is a farce riding horses over hurdles in this manner. Fences are struck more frequently. There is this much in its favor, that the jockey is thrown from the horse and rarely gets hurt, while in the old times Corrigan, Batty and others never left their mounts, but exercised better control over the hordes. "It appears to be getting worse. Before they know how to ride properly apprentices copy it from jockeys. I do not miud a competent rider shortening a bit. but I prevent my apprentices adopting it until they have learned to ride, and I think all trainers should do so. for as I have said. I am afraid there will be serious trouble unless It is put down. Practically all the old hands agree with me." "Would you favor the introduction of the totalizator?" "Yes. I have had experience of the machine in western Australia. Soutli Australia and TaMiiauIa. and I have found It good. 1 would like to see tin; lKNkmakers retained and the. two allowed to work together. There would be bigger stakes and better racing, and there would not be the necessity t bet so heavily. Too much betting is one of tin- draw-packs of racing, Jf one fancies a lioite and it rups second you get your money back and a little more when the totalizator is at work. But I would not favor abolishing the bookmakers." "You have .noticed a great alteration In the various race courses I suppose?" "Yes. Caulfield, for instance, was a mere sand patch thirty-three years ago. Now the course is well set and covered with couch grass and It Is fast. All are better looked after now. The improved conditions are mainly responsible for the better times done by the horses. I dont think the horses are better. They aro bred for speed and not for distance, as was previously the case, and they have well-set tracks to race on. hence the improved time." Sydney Referee.
