To the Editor of the "Normi-Ciuwa Day News"
Sin,—Consideration might be given to another phase of the racing prob-Jem in Shanghai, and the question ut:—Why is there stich a paucity of Jockeys? Someone may answer that frequently fields of twenty and more re seen, but that is only part of an answer, and it does not prove the Question absurd. The average punter, when the runners go into the frame, mechanically looks for Maitland, Encarnacao, and Needa, and, if only. tone of the three be riding, it ts considered the race is as good a3 over. 'There are variations when Pote-Hunt, Dalles, MeCann, and Marshall' fet Into the silk, but they do not ride 0 regularly, and Marshall about has his hands full with one stable. Neugebauer, White, Moller, Noodl, Parkin, Wade, Sparke, Clark, and maybe two or three atlers can' be 93 confidently relled upon when they fare given the right cattle, but it is a fact thet a round half-dozen jockeys fare considered to be a good 10 Ib. bettor than the next best, and it may' be the notion is not far wrong.
How different in older days, Think of the following lst of men all riding at the same time:—Stewart, Johnstone, Hill, Vida, C. R. Burkill anda little carlier' A. W. Burkill also), Crokam, Moller, Springfield, Jim Brand, J. K, Brand, Watts, Commons, Dalgleish, Benbow Rowe, and Laurence, all right up in the front] rank, with as many more available and very capable, too. Just before my time there were several olliers of whom I only know by Club gossip and records, and, just as some of those mentioned ware ogeing, there came along Maitland, MeBain, Norman Dallas, Heard, and (we or three more, and these boys were worthy sticcessors to the veterans.
What of it now? If I stumble] across a good pony, get him well trained, and convince myself that 1 have a chance in some of the big Faces, I find the half-dozen or so reliable jockeys already booked by stables for whom they ride regularly and T have to rely on some young: Star who would be a risk at his best, and who tells me with an inane grin that he is not feeling at his best, "as Thad'a pretty thick time last night." T agree with all the hints you and your correspondents have. given 50 far with the Idea of putting some! more life into our racing, and T think our young men could help a great deal if more of them seriously would endeavour to emulate some of those T'have mentioned, If they want to know something about It; Jet them ask Billy Hill, wise old' "Jerom," Erle Moller, Hayes, and a few other veterans of the course we still have with us If necessary Hayes and. 'Moller, for all their years, still can' ead these youngsters round the full course.
Avo Bricaoe.
Shanghai, Oct. 5.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.