RUNNING OF KING'S PLAY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 133, 22 June 1937, Page 10

RUNNING OF KING'S PLAY

-Presa Ausociation.)

Stewards Accept Owner's Explanation

(By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, Yesterday. /'Evidence produced by the owner, Wilfred Johnstone, and confirmed by the totalisator proprietors, shows that the connections of King's Play had a BUbstantial investment in the Adams' Memorial Cup and a much smaller investment in the Cornwall Handicap. It is the unanimous opinion of tho stewards that the placings of the judge in the Cornwall Handicap shall atand." This was the decision of the judieial 'committee of the Auckland Trotting Club this niorning after the inquiry into the running of King's Play in the Adams' Cup and Cornwall Handicap at Alexandra Rark on Saturday. In the former event, in which he was a staunch favourite, he failed to pace evenly over the first mile and a-quarter and was then pulled up, being nearly a furlong behind the leaders. Seen after the inquiry, Mr. Johnstone stated that the hopples used on King's Play were fairly new and that during the race they stretched from two to three inches beyond their proper length, which the horse requires. After the race, with tho permission of the stipendiary steward, the hopples were tightened up to the last length and in consequence the gelding was able fo pace much more evenly. Incidentally, King's Play cut himself badly on the offi fore coronet in the Cup and permission was sought to put a quarter boot on him prior to the Cornwall Handicap, but it could not be granted for, under the rules, he had to compete in the same gear in which he ran in the Cup. Mr. Johnstone added he had £60 on King's Play, £50 for a win and £10 for a place, in the Cup, but ho investment on him in the second start. However, his son, Wallace, had £15 on the gelding in the Cornwall Handicap, while the driver, M. Stewart, had £5.