(57) A track (2) extends between a winding mechanism (8, 12, 40) and resilient tensioning
means (4, 22). Rotation of a handle (40) causes a track end housing carrying one end
of the track (2) to be moved against the force of an elastic cord (22) of the resilient
tensioning means. Further rotation of the handle (40) releases the track end housing
(8) and allows the resilience of the cord (22) to return the track towards its initial
position. The coefficient of friction of the track (2) is sufficiently high that model
horses carried thereon generally move with the track. Thus, during the movement of
the track (2), the horses move first towards the winding mechanism (8, 12) and then
back towards the resilient tensioning means (4, 22). However, the first movement towards
the winding mechanism is much slower than the return, and the return movement is abruptly
stopped. When the return movement ceases the horses continue to move, and therefore
move relative to the track towards the resilient tensioning means. Thus, the horses
are caused to move along the track (2). The movement of individual horses is at differing
speeds so that the apparatus enables a horse racing game to be simulated.
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