Photo Finish Results In Wrong Decision

Chronicle (Levin), 30 July 1949, Page 5

Photo Finish Results In Wrong Decision

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter.

CovyriQftt)

Received Friday, 8 p.m. LQNDON, July 29. The popular belief in the infallibility of the camera's verdict on raee results went Avest at GoodAvood on July 28 when a photolinish print contradicted the judgU's decision. In the Bentinck j Rtakes the judge (Malcolm Ilancock) placed Lord Astor 's lligh Rtakes lirst and Ilornet III se«'ond, but the photograph convinced the Jockey Club stewards that Ilornet 111 Avon, although the judge 's decision must reinain iinal. After seeing the print the judge insisted that lligh Rtakes AA'as lirst and that the contrary linpressiou Avas due to an optical deiusio'n on the part of the camera. The Daily Mail's special correspondent Geoll'rey Rimpson said the Jockey Club niust now decide to Avhat extent the camera 's verdict holds good as most experts agreed that the race properly resulted in a dead heat. The GoodAvood caineraman, George Money, said a trick of light in the photo made it difficult to tell which houd belong to which horse. "lu lact the mere you iook at the picture the more pu/.zling it becomes. ' ' 1 An earlier message stated that the photo-linish picture of the Bentinck Rtakes was misread by the judge at Goodwood yesterday and the Avrong horse was announced as the winner. Today the Jockey Club stewards, aeting 011 a report l'rom the Goodwood stewards, agreed that a mistake had been made, but ruled that the judge 's verdict must be upheld. The judge placed Lord Astor 's lligh Rtakes, ridden 1 >y Gordon Richards, first, with the Frcneli Ilornet, ridden by Rae Jolmstone, second by a short head. The correct weight was signalled before the judge 's reading of the photo Avas queried and the bookmakers and the tete had paid out on High Rtakes. Rpectators gatherqd at the i'our points Avhei'e the race linisli photographs are displaved aml most agreed thh.t the judge had confused the two horses. Richards and Johnstone both examined the iihotograph and Johnstone said the same mistake had been made "tAvo or three times" in France. The Goodwood Cup, run over two miles and iive furiougs, resulted: — Alycidon 1, Riding Mill 2, Stockbridge 3. Won by two lengths, 12 lengths betAAreen second and third. Time, 4min 44sec. Alycidon 's Avin conlirmed the belief that he is one of the greatest stayers in history. "He has aatoii four distance raees this season. Alycidon is owned by Lord Derby.