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VIEWS OF AN AUSTRALIAN English Method of Trying Out Horses Supplanted by American Way. BY F. L. McKENNEY. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., September 28. Interesting views about race horse matters are expressed forciblj; in William luggridges book "How to Train a Race Horse," just to hand. Muggridge is one of the best known owners and trainers in Australia. It is patent, from the hundreds of worthwhile observations he makes in his book, that he has been an especially keen student of the thoroughbred. Mr. Muggridge makes no attempt at fine writing, but says what he lias to say in good, terse English. The Australian is altogether opposed to the watch as a test for horses in training for Important races. He regards a good, reliable trial horse one that is free running on the track und true in a race as much more to be depended upon than the watch. He says: "If the watch-breaking passion did not exist among trainers, there is little doubt that less money would be lost by owners." It is evident from the authors remarks that the old-time English method of trying out a stake candidate iu a gallop with a horse of known quality has been supplanted to a great extent in Australia by the American method of sending the animal under trinl against the watch. It may be the pendulum is swinging back and before long the familiar timepiece will not be deemed of such importance, even in this country. When Fred Burlew, the well-known American trainer, returned from France he told of the French trainers shifting to the American method. He was not sure, however, that the change was altogether for the better. The chief drawback of the English system, according to Mr. Burlew, is the failure, on some occasions, of the jockey on .the horse being tried to ride him out at the end so as to determine whether or not the horse has all his speed developed." The racing of two-year-olds is another subject on which Mr. Muggridge has positive notions. He says: "A two-year-old is nothing more than a baby animal, which should not be subjected to exactions befitted only for the winding up of mature horses. If two-year-olds must be raced the preparation should not be in any way severe." A neve! way of finding out whether or not the conformation of a horse is good is explained by the author. He was taught the method many years ago by an itinerant Arab peddler. A cord is carried from the top lip of the horse up the face, between the ears and along the neck to the middle of the withers. The length of the cord to this point is noted. Then the cord is carried along the back down to the last joint of the tail. If the two measurements agree, the horse is supposed to be perfect in conformation. The greater the difference in measurements the less valuable the horse. Mr. Muggridge says many times the Arab method proved a good guide to thoroughbreds that possessed "pace and staying power." The book is published bv William Brooks and Co., Ltd., Sydney, N. S. W. j-
