The San Francisco call., 1896-02-12
The Australian Starting Machine
Proved a Revelation to
Race-GoerS.
WAS CHEERED TO THE ECHO.
Favorites Took but Two Races at In.
gleside-Sir Vassar Won at
Lengthy Odds.

The Gray Australian starting machine
was given trial at Ingleside track yester-
day. Many tales have been waited over
the seas from the land Of the Southern
Cross of gigantic fields of Antipodean
racers being sent away in Zig stake races
heads on the starting post in incredibly
short periods of time, but new innovations
In racing are hard to introduce, and after
its earnest advocate, f. de b. Lopez, the
Australian turfman had almost despaired
OF ever being given an opportunity to
demonstrate its efficacy, it remained for
the Pacific Coast Jockey Club to give the
invention a trial that is destined to revolu-
tionize starting in this country.
That the public might be the Judge, the
machine was set up in front of the grand
stand. In construction it is simplicity
personihed.
Two strong bands of webbing stretching
across the track are attached to frame
that by means of strong elastic bands
slides upward and away on iron rods,
placed at an angle of 45 degrees, at the
touch of lever.
The experimental trial occurred in the
mile hurdle race with ten starters, and all
sorts of predictions were made as to what
that notoriously bad actor, Bellringer,
would do with the strands OF webbing.
The race was a good betting affair, Three
Forks going to the post 21@ to l choice:
st. Brandon, who opened at TO 5, reced-
ing to skies. When the horses were called
out Mr.. Lopez took his place on tempo
rarily constructed stand opposite the grand
stand.
1t was trying ordeal, for the trial
meant success or relegation to the junk
store forever. From the outset the horses
took kindly to it, and before one minute
had elapsed the operator pulled down the
lever. The webbing instantly shot up
ward and the horses went away to one of
the prettiest starts ever seen on race
course. Neglectful of the field of 'lep-
pers," the grand-stand arose en- masse and
cheered. Not detracting from Mr.. Cald-
wells starting, which has been uniformly
excellent throughout the meeting, it must
be said that this me echanlcal contrivance is
a revelation and that the time is near
when human patience and skill must give
way to the inventors art. So it has been
in other trades and professions and why
not on the turf?
The race developed a surprise, for after
leading up to the last jump Three Forks
made mistake and threw Allmark heav-
lily. st. Brandon then won easily from
Burmah.
The days sport was most enjoyable.
The weather was summerv and the at
tendance large. Favorites captured two
events, the others going to outsiders.
For the opening six-furlong race, Kam-
sin and Crafty went to the post equal
choices, to l being obtained against
either. After Levena G had made all the
running, Kamsin passed her in the stretch
and in a mild drive beat the mare out a
neck. Olive was an ordinary third. Crafty
was away from the post poorly.
The four-furlong race for two-year-olds,
with seven starters, was mere cake-walk
for the to 5 favorite Zamar, who won
hands down from Ingleside. Lord Ches-
terfield finished in the show. The winner
covered the distance in :501z.
The third event, over seven furlongs, re-
suited in a hollow victory for Tom Grit
fins colt Sir Vassar, on which Lamley
beat the flag, and, never headed, won
easily from Scimitar, the II to favorite.
The start was q bad one, imp. Fullerton
Lass. Daylight and IDA Sauer being left at
the post.
The last race was also a seven-furlong
affair. Our Maggie was made an 8 to 5
favorite, with Tenacity strong second
choice. Barney Schreiber's gelding Ferris
Hartman, 10 to shot, led from the Jump
and won nandily, with Fortuna second in
a drive with Tenacity.