FAKED WEIGHT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1926, Page 3

FAKED WEIGHT.

A WINNER DISQUALIFIED. MELBOURNE, April 6. The discovery of a faked scale weight at Gisborne races on Thursday proves that someone lias launched a- get-rich-quick scheme. The suggestion lias been made that a gang operated after the held had weighed out for tho first race, and that someone hammered lead into the Bst weight. The result was that any horse carrying Bst or more was certain to bo disqualified. That actually happened. There were seven starters in the Novice Handicap at Gisborne. The betting at the outset indicated that only two horses had a chance—Stevedore at G to 4 and Clear Out at 5 to 1. The next in demand was Lady Ruby and about the others 15 and 20 to 1 could bo obtained. As the horses went to the post Clear Out’s price shortened, and at the barrier-rise no hotter than 3to 1 was quoted. Stevenore retained his position ns favourite. King Ptoropus finished first, hut when Frank Grierson, rider of King Pteropus. weighed in he could not make the weight Bst Gullb. Even allowing 11b for the bridle, lie was still 4lb short. The stewards held an inquiry, and they, with the trainer and jockey, were mystified. Grierson’s normal weight is Sst * 61 b( hut with wasting lie. can make Sst 21b. When weighing out, Mr A. J. Gray had told the jockey that all lie needed was a light towel, to lie placed under the saddle. Tho stewards were in a dilemma, and, though they knew that \. the trniner and jockey had done nothing-underhand, they had no option hut to disqualify the winner. Clear Out was placed first. Lady Ruby second and no third placed. After the jockeys had weighed out for the Novice Purse one of the officials discovered a piece of lead, weighing nbout 41b, in one of the holes of the Sst weight on the scales.