PREMIER ROYAL CASE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23966, 5 June 1943, Page 4

PREMIER ROYAL CASE

* HORSE NOT ALLOWED TO START REASONS GIVEN BY FORBURY PARK CLUB The Forbury Park Trotting' Club in a letter to the board of the New Zealand Trotting Association read at last evening’s meeting of the board, gave reasons why it had refused to allow the horse Premier Royal to start at its meeting last month. Mr B. C. Lee, of Timaru, the owner of the horse, had told the committee that he had sold the horse to Mr A. Wyberg, manager of his hotel, and he himself had no interest in the horse. He (Lee) had not accepted for Premier Royal. This had been done by the trainer, W. R. Butt. The action of the club was endorsed by the board.

A letter from Lee to the board outlined his reasons for disposing of Premier Royal subject to the approval by the association of the transfer. Lee said publicity in the newspapers and the innuendoes circulated had materially affected his business,

and he had no intention of continuing his interest in horses. On April 26 the board of the New Zealand Trotting Association disqualified T. H. Gunning, the trainer of Premier Royal, for five years for corrupt practice with B. C, Lee, the owner, against whom a similar charge was laid, but in whose case the penalty was deferred. Later Leo was also disqualified for five years and fined £IOO.