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MOVING BARRIER

A Sydney consulting engineer, Mr B W Ireland, flew into Christchurch last week with a film on a moving starting barrier which he showed to officials of the three Christchurch Trotting clubs and the NZ Trotting Conference. Called the Space Mobile Barrier, most of the gathering seemed fairly interested in its potential, and Mr Ireland was then put through the grill after the six-minute colour film was run twice.

The barrier is controlled by a starter who can control the speed or make it uniform. It consists of tapes stretched across the track attached to high poles on the running rail. The tapes come down to between the ears and eyes of the horse, travels 50 yards, and then is lifted high above the runners.

The apparatus was set up at Harold Park for the experiment. The trials involved four horses off the front and four off the 12 yard mark. They were marshalled two furlongs from the start where they proceeded to walk up to the barrier. Their speed was increased to nothing more than a jog, the tapes then came down from above, and travelled at that speed for 50 yards before the start was reached.

Although the experiment seemed full of merit, there were a number of difficulties that would have to be overcome before the system could be practical under NZ conditions or applied to our tracks. Shadows littered the track during the daytime; these would have to be kept to a minimum. Mr Ireland also advised that the distances of some of our races would need to be changed as the barrier's operation on bends had not as yet been contemplated. The only other problem that would eventuate is that of starting a large number of horses off different marks and catering for the second liners, the latter an awkward one. Undoubtedly the system has merit and if these initial problems were to be solved consideration would need to be given regarding its introduction to this country.

Mr Ireland has kindly allowed the film to remain in NZ so that other club officials and representatives may receive the opportunity of viewing it and assessing the worth of the scheme. Obviously those in charge of the film should make every endeavour to ensure that a number of trainers and drivers see it. Their reaction to the Space Mobile Barrier is imperative; they should be in the box seats.

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 15Apr70