DISQUALIFICATION OF FISHHOOK.

Dunstan Times, Issue 783, 20 April 1877, Page 3

DISQUALIFICATION OF FISHHOOK.

—o—(Abridged from the Daily Times.) At a meeting of the Oraarau Jockey Club Committee, held on tho 13th inst., to consider the decision of ifhe Stewards whereby disqualifying Mr O'Brien’s horse, Fishhook, the matter was adjourned to obtain opinions of the Stewards on Mr O’Brien’s statement, which is as follows : Mr O’Brien was then called in, and on being asked by the Chairman what he had to say in the matter, made the fallowing statementl have been riding and racing for the last 10 years, and have never had a protest entere i against me, nor have I ever been brought b fore the stewards of a course. I had not a shilling bet against the horse. It is well known that Dcrrett always rides a waiting race, and when in Mr Redwood’s -employ ho'‘has done the same. When he rode King Phillip on St. Andrew’s Day he was fully 30 lengths behind. In answer to Mr Eonayne, Mr O'Brien said he did not know that :akoskmaker, immediately before tho race— although Fishhook had been the favorite the previous evening and that morning—had been offering six to four against it. He then continued : 1 authorised Prince to back the horse and I would go halves with him. Prince made two bets of LIOO. I had full confidence in Derritt, and, beyond his riding a waiting race, I saw nothing wrong in him. When, however, 1 took into consideration the time in which the ground was covered, I came to the conclusion it could not be done quicker. I am quite satisfied with the rider, though not with the horse, as he did not seem to get on his legs properly. If a horse has a big weight on him, he cannot gn the same pace all through. I did not observe him get up to the horses and then fall suspiciously away again. I thought there was something wrong with my horse, and remarked to a friend, whom I had induced to hack him heavily, that he was not going in his usual style. Horses, like men, are not always in the same condition. They might be all right one day, and quite the reverse the -next. I had a reason for scratching Fishhook the previous day. 1 had hacked Templeton, and I thought if I scratched him the first day I could get a lighter weight on tho second. I was not satisfied at tho way Derritt rode, and spoke to him after tho race. He said he could not get the horse to go The race was run in 1 min. 45 sec, I have not the least suspicion that he sold me, for if I had 1 would not keep him in my employ. I bought the horse in a Calcutta sweep, and also hacked him. My jockeys never wear spurs, and I don’t believe that cither ’spur or whip would have made any difference in the race. I stood to win LISO, and L73in a sweep, had the horse passed the'post first. I had a conversation with Mr Redwood the first day, and with Mr Delamain on the second day. The horse incurred no penalty for winning the race, and 1 -cannot see how I would benefit a penny by acting dishonestly. 1 am perfectly willing Dcmtt should appear before the Committee, should they wish it, after the Christchurch race. I have had far more temptation to sell a race than on this occasion, and 1 have never been charged with doing so ; and I am now quite satisfied, if there be the smallest tittle of evidence to convict me of so doing, to have the horse disqualified. At a meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club on April 14th, a resolution was passed approving of the action of the Stewards of the North Ot.-igo Races in disqualifying Fishhook. It was decided to write to tho Stewards, asking why the rider of Fishhook was not also disqualified. Sir Cracroft Wilson gave notice of motion for next meeting to the effect that Fishhook and its owner and rider be disqualified'from racing on any course where C.J.C. rules aro in force. The meeting also confirmed the action of tho Dunedin Jockey Club in reference to J. Coleman. A meeting of the Committee of the' North Otago Turf C’nb took p’ace on the IClh instant to consider the Fishhook case. After some discussion it was resolved that the decision of the Stewards be adhered to. It was also resolved that “ The Committee, after enquiring into the matter, are of opinion that Derritt, Fishhook’s jockey, was at least equally to blame with the owner, and should share in the punishment, and that ho he disqualify 1 to ride on the O.imaru course during the pleasure of the Club.” At Christchurch on the 17th instant before the Races commenced, the Jockey Club held a meeting to further consider the Fishhook case, when it was resolved to disquaUfy the rider Derritt from ri ling where the Canterbury Jockey Club rides are in force during lire pleasure r-f tho Club.