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APPRENTICE ALLOWANCES IN AUSTRALIA. It. is reported that the committee of the Australian Jockey Club will be asked to alter the rule dealing with apprentice allowances. llandicapiers are strongly opjioted to the present system, as it is claimed to undo the work which they have done, and that many capable riders are compelled to stand aside while apprentices are employed. The suggestion linds favor with few Sydney trainers, and thev are prepared to combat any move in that direction. While admitting that the rule may be something of a bugbear to handicappers. they contend that they should not be hampered in their efforts to "make" jockeys. The system causes owners to give opportunities to the lads whom they would not think of putting up if they had to meet; tlie best jockeys on equal terms, and so far as the allowance giving any competitor a decided advantage, it is pointed out that it. would be absurd to say a concession of seven pounds to a lad who had not ridden more than live winners brought him level with horsemen of skill and experience. "Why," remarked a prominent trainer in discussing tlie matter, "when you put up an apprentice, you are not infrequently accused of penalizing your horse a stone in order to gain a seven-pounds allowance. Still, you must give the lads chances in order to make jockeys of them, and as the youngsters have to be there every morning to ride work, it is only right they should be encouraged by an occasional mount in races. We hear a lot about the lack of capable jockeys, but matters can scarcely be improved if you withdraw from us the present inducement to "watch for and develop promising material. Mind, I would have no objection to a regulation debarring lads who had not ridden winners from liguring in two-year-old races. Young horses are susceptible, and their experience in their lirst race or two often has a lasting effect. Therefore, a combination of a green horse and an inexperienced rider is not desirable. So far as the total withdrawal of allowances is concerned, such a step would be welcomed by few Radwick trainers. Other trainers voiced themselves to much the same effect, and on the matter being discussed at a meeting of the Breeders. Owners and Trainers Association, the opinion was general that there was no necessity for any marked alteration in tlie rule hearing on allowances. However, it is doubtful whether the trainers have anything to fear on that score, as at the last general meeting of the Australian Jockey Club Mr. Knoxs Temarks tended to the belief that the members of the committee, as a whole, were well satisfied with the working of the rule.
