A RACING PROTEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 844, 19 March 1903, Page 4

A RACING PROTEST.

At the conclusion of the Iliiuiti Handicap at the Tolago Bay races on Tuesday the owner of Tynedale, Mr I). Duff, entered a . protest against the winner, Minerve, on the ground of inconsistent running. . . Mr Duff said that it was his opinion that Minerve had not been extended in the District Ilace. When she came in there was not a mark on her, and persons who watched the race were of opinion that she was not run out.

Mr Smith : That is all you have against him ; just what we saw ourselves ? Mr Puff; [contend that the mare was not on the job in tho District Ilace. Mr Fry, trainer of Tynedale, said he would like to ask the owner of Minerve (Mr J. H. Martin, Tolago Bay) whether the mare was a ll borer,” If not he could prove that she ran away outside the course in amongst the rushes, and in no part of the race, until she came into the straight, was she let go. He wanted pure running, whether he lost or not. He had seen 1120 put on Minerve in the Hauiti Handicap, and £ls before that. He would like to ask the rider why Minerve went outside the course. Mr Fry referred to the relative weights of local Option, Malcolm, und Minerve, in support ot his remarks. He could get fifty witnesses to prove what he had stated. A member : We have to prove that the mare was not run out in the District Race. Mr Fry : You cannot prove inconsistent running. It never has neen done yet. Mr J. H. Martin, owner of Minerve, stated that he sent Minerve out to win in the District Race. He had only £ls on her chance of winning. She had not “bored” with him, but with a strange boy on her back she ran wide of the mark. As to there being no spur marks, since the mare was his she had been ridden without spurs or with dummies, as it was proved she would do better without them. In the Hauiti Handicap she was ridden with dummy spurs. He had backed the mare more than once and she had turned back on him. She was a trier as far as ho was concerned in the District Race, and bethought as far as the jockey was concerned also. .... Mr Fry : If Signet can beat her in the mile you should sell her for dog’s meat. Mr Martin : It is for you to try and make what harm you can. Mr Fry : I can prove that £35 went on the machine in two jumps. Mr Dixon : Can you prove that Mr Martin had not £ls on tho race ? Mr Martin said he gave Mr Hawkins

£ls to put on tho mare for him. Mr Lockwood : Were you satisfied tho way the mare was ridden in the District '? Mr Martin: Yes, I am satisfied with tho way she was ridden. I am satisfied that the jockey rode to win. Mr Fry : I like to see sport, but I cannot understand Minerve’s running in the District Race and in the Hauiti Handicap. Ready, the rider of Minerve, stated that the mare was running well in the District Handicap until she came to the home turn, when she fell back. He did not have too good a hold on her throughout. She had not run out with him, but was a length and a-half from the inside. In the first race he did not think the mare tried to gallop. He put the whip on her as soon as the straight was entered, when she was lying third. T. Ward, who rode Malcolm in the District Race, said he only saw Minerve once in the race, and that was when tho six furlongs post was passed. She was well on the outside. He could not say whethor she was pulled or ran off. She seemed to him to bo hanging out. Ho never saw her in the rushes during the race. Mr Fry said ho knew he had no chance of proving a chargo of inconsistent running. It was the first time ho had run his horses there, and it would he the last if he thought there was cronk running. Mr Smith; We certainly do not want it hers. Mr Martin said he had raced horses all over the North Island and in the South, and this was the first time he had come bofore the stewards. Mr Smith said he was glad the matter had been brought up. It was not frivolous. Ho had not been satisfied, and there would liavo been an inquiry even if Mr Duff had not protested. He was not satisfied with Minerve’s running in tho first race. Devery, rider of Waipare in the District Race, stated he did not see any “ funny ” work going on. He saw Minerve come up and then go back. She was behind him, and he did not see her until they were in the straight. Mr Smith said he was satisfied that

there was nothing against Mr Martin. It had been proved that he had had .£ls on the mare iu the first race.

After further discussion it was decided to caution the jockey and dismiss the protest, but to return Mr Duffs deposit.