146 THE RACING WORLD 



is rather at the starting post than before the stands 

 and close to the judge's box that his lack of anxiety- 

 would probably be most apparent. 



One of the subjects upon which I am asked by 

 the Editor to dilate is, it perhaps need not be said, 

 the starting machine, the innovation that during the 

 last few years has superseded the old-fashioned flag 

 which, when first introduced, was supposed to have 

 brought the system of getting horses away as 

 nearly as possible to perfection. I have an idea 

 that the Editor is rather anti-gate, at least that he 

 is by no means pro-gate ; but he asks me to express 

 my opinion frankly on this much-vexed question, 

 and I am therefore obliged to remark that I am on 

 the whole decidedly in favour of the new machine. 

 The one in use is, moreover, the best I have seen, 

 the quickest to fly up. What it wants is to have 

 the action perfected by electricity, so that the 

 jockeys would be obliged to look at the webbing, 

 and not to watch for any action or movement of 

 mine to give them a preliminary hint that I am 

 going to release them. 



There are undoubtedly several things to be 

 urged against it. Some horses will not have it at 

 all, and I dread to see any of these entered for races 

 at which I am officiating, knowing that trouble 

 and delay are the inevitable consequences of their 



