A WEIGHING PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1923, Page 4

A WEIGHING PROBLEM.

SENSATION AT OPOTIKI MEETING AUCKLAND, March 2A The East Coast Weller Handicap, the concluding event at the Opoiiki ■Jockev Cluh’s meeting held at the Takapnna cnurse on Saturday. Itirm-h----ed a sensational incident outside the running of the race-. .Mr dohn \\ illiiunHon’s gelding Cool Stimulants, reached the judge first, hut a sensation came front the weighing-mom, for when placed on the settles 11. Goldfinch, rider of Cool Stimulants, failed to draw the weight, 9.-1, hv about half a pound, and consternation ruled all round, and with owner alid rider especially, tool Stimulant- was declared to he disqualified. and the dividends attached to the race were ordered to he paid out on Elsie A folia and Bute Sound, who finished second and third respectively. This procedure was duly carried out. Mr Williamson, who had personally seen to the weighing out til Goldfinch, was lirmly convinced that the scales were not true, and he declared that when weighed out- t.ho indicator showed the rider and his impedimenta to he O.d.J. Tite owner represented matters to the Judicial Committee, ami mei.iher.s composing that body were summoned. The scales were tested, and expert evidence tendered was so convincing that the committee decided to award the stakes to the owner of Cool Stimulants, from which ii may he inferred that it Wtt.s established that Ihe scales did not record accurately when tin* rider, Goldfinch, was weighed in. Dividends having been paid out to backers of Elsie Aroha ami Bute Sound matters are in a very interesting state, and that the supporters ol ( 00l Stimuli! n/- may have somethin.; to say may he expected.