A Sensational Story.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 134, 5 December 1896, Page 3

A Sensational Story.

(Per Press Association.) Melboubne, Dee. 4. The Age states a story of a very scandalous nature has been current io sporting circles for some weeks past accusing a well known book maker of a villainous attempt to stiffen a borse engaged at tbe recent V.R.C. Spring meeting. Though tbe statement is of a very circumstantial character as to tbe precise details the paper refrained from giving publication for some time in full expectation that the V.B.C. would take the matter up. Briefly it ia alleged that tbe owner of a first-class performer having experienced misfortune during tha early part of the meeting suggested to the bookmaker that for a certain large sum wbich he specified, he was prepared to allow the bookmaker to drug tbe hcrae and prevent him winning the followiog day. Tbe bookmaker promptly acquiesced and under bis own supervision a ball was prepared in tbe City and together the pair journeyed to Flemington. The owner, however, had taken the precaution to acqnaint his trainer with the game afoot and instructions were given tbat paint should be applied to another horse in the stable so that he would resemble the intended ■victim. The deception succeeded and ibe bookmaker banded over tbe promised cheque. In the paddock when the race in wbich tbe drugged favorite competed came on, there was no more desperate fielder than tbe bookmaker nnder notice. His fellow pencillers Stared in astonishment at his reckless wagering, but, whispering a friendly word in the ears of bis fellow ringsmen, the secret was qnickly understood and point by point tho favorite lengthened. Tbe more money tbat went on tbe more venturesome the bookmaker became. The race was run, and tbe favprite triumphed. Tbe paper concludes tbat the attention of the V.R.C. bas now been pointedly directed to what appears to be one of the biggest scandals perpetrated iv connection with the Victorian tarf for a long time.