view raw text
] t NEW BARRIER IS PRAISED Australian Device Improvement in Belmont Starting, Say Competent Observers. NEW YORK, May 18.— Horsemen and jockeys on the whole expressed opinions on the working of the new Australian harrier, which was used the opening day of the Belmont Park meeting. S. C. Hildreth, R. A. Smith, John Loftus and A. J. Joyner were among those who praised the working of the machine and pointed out that it was not always the fault of the trainer for not schooling horses, but the anxiety of the jockeys in trying to get away that caused some bad starts. S. C. Hildreth stated that he liked the barrier and that one thing was certain, no boy was going to be in front of the webbing when the gate was released. Bob Smith was enthusiastic over the working, while the veteran James Rowe stated that he did not inspect the working closely but his idea was that stalls were the only solution of the starting problem. Among the jockeys, Laverne Fator was In favor of it and so was Alfred Johnson pleased with the working of it. Danny Mc-Auliffe pointed out that horses had to be schooled to the new machine, but on the whole he favored the old gate. George Ellis was another that expressed his praise of the gate. * — ■