A PECULIAR DECISION.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 83, 16 April 1901, Page 3

A PECULIAR DECISION.

[Sporting Review.]

In the Pony Handicap, run on the first day of tho Autumn Meeting, an enquiry was held into the running of Orange and Blue. This filly, which runs in the name of Mr T. Barr, was, according to popular opinion, let into tho Handicap at Bst, and the public accordingly fastened on to boras a good thing, and made her favorite, .£595 being invested on her on the machine out of a total of £1,356. With the bookmakers, she was quoted at even money for some time, but, just before the barrier rose, there was a whisper in tho air, and her price lengthened to twos. When Mr Coutts gave tho word “ go,” Julian, who was on the favorite, whipped her round, and was left several lengths in the rear, and she practically took no part in the race. On the representations of tho starter, the stewards met, and after considering tho case decided that the pony and her rider should stand down for the rest of the meeting. And it is just here that the injustice comes in. If Julian was guilty as against his employer, then the punishment meted out to him was ridiculously mild. If ho was acting under instructions, then the temporary disqualification of the pony was equally mild and insufficient. Why not make a thorough investigation into tho matter and try to sheet the affair home to tho really guilty parties. In too many cases, both here and elsewhere, has the jockey boon made the scapegoat in order that persons in high places might go free. There has been more than a suspicion for some time that a “pony ring” exists in this city —but that is another matter which wc shall deal with later on.