SPORTING.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 876, 16 April 1877, Page 3

SPORTING.

DUNEDIN QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY

RACES.

[Per Press Agency.]

The following nominations for the Dunedin races on the Queen's birthday were made at the Empire Hotel last night: — Hurdle Race. —Banjo, Eclipse, Kildare, Bucephalus, Bothwell, Camelia, Tommy Dodd.

Birthday Handicap.—Haphazard, Rob Roy, Cloth of Gold, Dead Heat, Eclipse, Fishhook, Tadinor, Rose of Denmark (late Spray), King Philip, Elfin King, Tommy Dodd.

Tradesman's Handicap.—Flying Beauty, Haphazard, Miss Wills, Rob Roy, Comet, Cloth of Gold, Dead Heat, Fishhook, Dolly Vardcn, Sir William, Tadmor, Rose of Denmark, Elfin King, Tommy Dodd. Trotting Race. —Nineteen entries.

SPORTING NOTES

[from the press.]

The visiting horses have now all arrived, and on Saturday morning nearly all the animals engaged in this AA-eek's meeting—the Yaldhurst team excepted—put in an appearance on the course. The tAvo recent opponents at Hokitika—lsaac Walton and Jasper—were sent a good serviceable gallop once round. Danebury, Mireille, and Phantom, stripped, started at the three-quarter-mile post, and went a strong gallop for a mile, but some mistake Avas made by Ray's boy, and subsequently Danebury, in company with Tommy Dodd and Momus, Avent a mile and a half at a clinking pace. Jangler, witli Fuller up, Equation, and Telltale, had a three-quarter of a mile spin, and then Fuller mounting Trump Card took him a steady half-mile Avith the Jeu D'Esprit colt. Dead Heat and Cloth of Gold did a serviceable gallop of nearly a mile and a half, and Guy Faux, Puriri, and Bribery cantered separately for about the same distance. Mr Redwood's tAvo Champagne fillies Avent together once round, at a good pace, and Lara did a good striding gallop of a mile and a half on his own account, Eclat did slow Avork. Chancellor, Foul Play, and Mangle Avent a gallop of a mile and a half, the last half mile at top. Foul Play seemed to have the best of the finish, and Mangle decidedly the worst. Fallacy and Tattler were sent a mile and a half, the mare going particularly avcll ; this in fact was the gallop of the morning. For the Champagne, Mireille, Trunin Card, and Jangler are the favorites, and for the Handicap, Fallacy, Bribery, and Punga command the most support. Sinbad. CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB. A special general meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club Avas held at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Present—Sir Cracroft Wilson, Messrs 11. P. Lance (chairman), Reeves, Robinson, Millett, Griffith, Studholme, Delamain, Brittan, Egan, Barker, Frankish, Prins, L. Walker, M. Studholme, Wynn Williams, and Lee. The minutes' of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The Chairman said the first business was the consideration of a letter from the Oamaru Jockey Club with regard to the pulling of Fishhook at the late meeting there. The Secretary then read the letter, which stated that looking at the deliberate pulling of Fishhook, the club had decided to disqualify the horse. The Chairman said that a member of their club, Mr M. Studholme, had been present at the race, and he would state what occurred. Mr Studholme said that his opinion, and that of the stewards, was unanimously that the horse was pulled. The Chairman said that his opinion was that it would be inadvisable to go into the matter, unless there was some reason for disagreeing with the decision of the Oamaru stewards.

Mr Robinson could not but think it was beginning at the wrong end to disqualify the owner. He thought it was probable that a gentleman might enter a horse in all good faith without in the slightest manner being concerned. It seemed to him that they should have before them the evidence as to whether the jockey was concerned, and if so, why he should not have been disqualified. Sir Cracroft Wilson thought that it was necessary for the club to adopt some stringent measures to prevent the growth of rascality in regard to racing. Mr Egan asked what was the time of, the race ? So far as he could learn it was 1.4-2, and as the fastest time on record wag 1.38. there could be but little pulling. Mr Walker thought that the Club should endorse the verdict of the Oamaru Club, unless some evidence was brought to the contrary. The Chairman said he had taken considerable trouble to investigate the matter, and he had come to the conclusion that it was a robbery. Under these circumstances it seemed to him that they should endorse the decision of the Oamaru Club, because no reason had b.een shown to the contrary. l)r Prins thought that the Oamaru stewards had not gone far enough, in that they had not disqualified the jockey. Mr Egan contended that no evidenco had been adduced.

Mr Robinson asked Mr Studholme whether there was any evidence taken as to whether there was collusion between the owner and the jockey. Mr Studholme said that there was no evidence of that taken. It was evident that the horse was pulled, and also that the jockey was riding to orders. Mr Robinson thought that, under these circumstances, he could hardly see that the horse and owner should be disqualified. The decision should have been that the jockey should bo punished. MrWynn Williams could hardly see this. Here they had a jockey paid by and a servant of the owner. Therefore they must assume that he was riding under the orders of his owner.

Dr Prins again contended that the stewards of the Oamaru races who were on the spot having seen that the horse was pulled and decided the matter, they were bound to support them, no evidence to the contrary having been adduced. Sir C. J. Cracroft Wilson moved " That the C..T.C. endorse the action of the Stewards of the Oaraaru Race Meeting with regard to the disqualification of Fishhook." Mr Walker seconded the motion. In reply to Dr. Fraukish,

Mr Studholme said that there were about nine stewards present at the meeting held to consider the case, and from their personal ob-

servation no evidence was required to confirm the pulling of the horse. Mr Delamain said he desired to make a few remarks. The horse Fishhook had won a hard race for the Publican's Purse, and had got stiff. He said to Dan O'Brien that if he was him he should not runhim. His belief was that the horse was stiff, and could not get on his legs to start. The stewards did not take live minutes to decide the disqualification, and no evidence was taken. His idea was that capital had been made of it. Mr Eobinson said that if, seemed to him that it was a great error of judgment on the part of the stewards to come to their decision without calling in the owner, to give him an opportunity of defending himself. They had also omitted the principal actor in the scene —the jockey. Therefore he considered that the action of the stewards was an error. For this reason he should vote against Sir Cracroft Wilson's motion. The penalty had not been inflicted on the right person. They should have punished the boy, and then evidence might be called to show that the owner and the boy were in collusion. Under these circumstances the horse and the owner might then be disqualified. Sir Cracroft Wilson's motion was then put, and carried by 11 to 6. Sir Cracroft Wilson said that the disqualification of the horse involved also the disqualification of the rider. It was necessary that a stop should be put at once to the practices which were now occurring on the turf. He would move—" That the club consider the question of the disqualification of the rider of Fishhook at Oamaru."

Mr Egan seconded the motion. Dr Prins thought that they wove going out of their province to consider this matter. lie thought the secretary should write to the North Otago Turf Club, and ask why it was the jockey of Fishhook was not punished. Mr Studhohue said that there was no evidence taken as regarded the jockey. Dr Prins would move as an amendment — " That the secretary of the C.J.C. write to the N.O.T. Club, asking why the rider of Fishhook was not disqualified at the same time as the horse."

Mr Lee seconded the amendment, which was put and carried by 7 to 2. A letter was road from the secretary of the the D.J.C. forwarding a resolution to the effect that John Coleman, bookmaker and list better, be warned off the Dunedin course for disgusting language and dishonest practices, and that no horse trained, owned, either in part or wholly, by him be permitted to run on any course under the management of the D.J.C.

The action of the Dunedin Jockey Club was unanimously endorsed. The meeting then closed.

NORTH OTAGO TURF CLUB

The Disqualification op Fishhook

At a meeting of this club, held on Friday, the secretary read the following letter received from Mr Joseph Meagher: — Dear Sir—l have been instructed by Mr D. O'Brien, the owner of the horse Fishhook, to request the club to take some steps for reconsideration of the decision arrived at by the stewards. He is desirous of having the matter rigorously investigated, and also of being heard in" his own defence, which I consider is not an unreasonable request. He appears to think that Lynch law on the turf is as much to be deprecated as it is elsewhere, and that before punishment was inflicted on him he should have been afforded an opportunity to speak in his defence. He feels confident that if his request be granted, he will be able to exonerate himself from all blanie in the matter, and should he fail, the club will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have not refused that, to which the most atrocious criminal is entitled —a fair trial.

A letter, enclosing the Dunedin Club's resolution, was also read. Considerable discussion followed, and ended by Mr Grant moving that the case should be re-opened in order to give Mr O'Brien a fair hearing. This was carried bv six to two.

Mr O'Brien was then called in, and on being asked by the Chairman what he had to say in the matter, made the following statement :—I have been riding and racing for the last ten years, and have never had a protest entered against me, nor have I ever been brought before the stewards of a course. I had not a shilling bet against the horse. It is well known that Derritt always rides a waiting race, and when in Mr Redwood's employ he has done the same. When he rode King Philip on St. Andrew's Day ho was fully thirty lengths behind. In answer to Mr Ronaync, Mr O'Brien said he did not know that a bookmaker, immediately before the race —although Fishhook had been the favorite the previous evening and that morning—had been offering six to i'o.ur against it. He then continued —I authorised Prince to back the horse and I would go halves with him. Prince made two bets of £IOO. I had full confidence in Derritt, and, beyond his riding a waiting race I saw nothing wrong in him. When, however, I took into consideration the time in which the ground was covered, I came to the conclusion if could not be done quicker. I am quite satisfied with the- rider, though not with the horse, as he did not scorn to get an his logs properly, If a hai'se has a big weight on him, lie cannot go the same pace all through. I did not observe him get up to the horses and then fall suspiciously away again. I thought thero was something wrong with my horse, and remarked to a friend, whom I had induced to back him heavily, that he was not going in lus usual style. Horses, like men, are not always in the same condition. They may be all right one day, and quite the reverse the next. I had a reason for scratching Fishhook the previous day. I had backed Teurplcton, and I thought if I scratched him the first day I could get a liohtcr weight on the second. I was not satisfied at the way Derrett rode, and spoke to him after the race. Ho said he could not get the horse to go. The race was run in liuin. 45secs. I have not. the least suspicion that lie sold me, for if I had I would not keep him in my employ. I bought the horse in a- Calcutta sweep and also backed him. My jockeys never wear spurs, and I don't believe that either spur or whip would have made any difference in the race. I stood to win £l5O, and £75 in a sweep, had the horse passed the post first. I had a conversation with MiRedwood the first day, and with Mr Delamain on the second* day. The horse incurred no penalty for winning the race, and I cannot sec how I would benefit a penny by acting dishonestly. I am perfectly willing Derritt should appear before the committee, should they wish it, after the Christchurcb races. I have had far more temptation to sell a race than on this occasion, and I 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.

Mr O'Brien then withdrew, and a lengthy discussion took place as to the course to be pursued eventually. Mr Lintott proposed —" That the matter be adjourned until Monday, in order that an opportunity may be afforded for hearing the opinions of the stewards, as far as possible, upon the statement of Mr O'Brien, and to get any further evidence that may be forthcoming. Mr Robertson seconded the motion.

Mr Taylor proposed, and Mr Ronayne seconded, as an amendment—" That the decision of the stewards be adhered to, and that the secretary be requested to forward the evidence given by Mr O'Brien to the secretaries of the Duncdinand Christchuroh Clubs, for them to judge for themselves in the case." On the question being put, the amendment was declared lost, and the motion carried.

The meeting then adjourned until this evening at seven o'clock.

THE SYDNEY CUP

[From the Sydney Morning Herald.] THE SYDNEY CUT. A Handicap Sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, 10 forfeit, with 500 sovs. added. Second horse to receive 50 sovs., and third horse 20 sovs. from the prize. Two miles. Mr W. S. Hill's ch g Kingfisher, by Kelpie, ag-ed. 7stslb (Huxley) 1 Mr R. Rouse's b |m Vira, by Yattcndon —

Atalanta, 6 yrs, Bst 41b... J. Ramsay) 2 Mr J. A. Lang's br h Spark, including 81bs penalty, by Fireworks, 4. yrs, 7st 121 b (Lang) 3

The following horses also ran: —Pride of the Hills, 7st 121 b; Melbourne, Sst 71b; Janitor, 7st 121 b ; The Painter, 7st 101 b; Queen's Head, 7st [slb ; Burwood, sst 51b ; Calamia, 7st 41b ; Wrangler, 7st 3lb ; Miss Kingston, 6st 91b; Meteor, Gst 91b; Dockwood, 6st 41b ; Valetta, 6st 21b ; Coventry, 6st 21b ; Democrat, sst 101 b ; Fernhill, Sst 71b ; The Deacon, sst 71b. Betting—loo to 25 v Pride of the Hills, 100 to 25 v Calamia, 100 to 12 v Viva, 100 to 8 each v The Painter, Kingfisher, Melbourne, and Burwood ; 100 to 6 eachv Spark, Janitor, Wrangler, and Meteor ; 100 to 5 each v The Deacon and Miss Kingston.

There was one break away, and Pride of the Hills, Burwood, Kingfisher, Fernhill, Queen's Head, Meteor, Melbourne, Coventry, and Spark, went some distance before they could be stopped. At length the Hag went down to a bad start, the colors of Meteor, Queen's Head, and Kingfisher showing clear of the ruck which was headed by Melbourne and Dockwood, the rest in a cluster, with Viva and Calamia last, and a long way out of it. Meteor led up to the hill at a sound pace, attended by Queen's Head and Dockwood, the rest in a great heap, the last of the lot being Viva, Melbourne, and Calamia. Meteor led past the stand by a short length, Queen's Head and Dockwood next, and just in front of The Painter, Deacon, and Kingfisher, who were followed bv Spark, Coventrv, Miss Kingston, Pride of the Hills, Wrangler, and Fernhill, Viva, who was run into, and nearly knocked down when the Hag fell, and Valetta last. Queen's Head got on terms with Meteor at the tan crossing, and a hundred yards further on The Painter joined the pair, and almost immediately took up the running, while Spark went on third. The Painter led Kingfisher two lengths past the seven furlongs post, Coventry next, and nearly the same distance in front of Miss Kingston, The Beacon, Queen's Head, Spark, Dockwood, and Pride of the Hills. The pace became terrible at the far side of the course, where Queen's Head and Meteor were beaten, and Viva, creeping up on the inside, began to improve her position. The Painter faced the rising ground, witli Kingfisher at his girths, Miss Kingston three lengths off, and clear of the others, who were headed by Pride of the Hills and Spark. At the top of the hill Calamia and Viva were still working their way towards the front, and The Painter turned into the straight with about a length advantage of Kingfisher, who was five lengths in front of Pride of the Hills, and it was impossible to tell what was next. A beautiful race ensued all the way up the straight, and it was hard to tell which had the best of it till Kingfisher, in the centre of the course, cut The Painter down at the distance, and finishing well, won a brilliant race by two lengths from Viva, who came from the home turn like a flash of lightning, and must have wan it if they had had a few strides further to go. Spark was third three lengths away, and then came Calamia, who, like Viva, had made up his lost, ground wonderfully. After them came The Painter, Melbourne, Fernhill, Pride of the Hills, Burwood, Miss Kingston, and Wrangler ; the last of the lot being Queen's Head and Valetta. Time, 3min 36*sec.