RACING SENSATION

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1927, Page 4

RACING SENSATION

ELECTRIC BATTERY FRAUD. four life disqualifications SYDNEY, Jan. 14. A sensation v.tis caused at the Ascot race 8 p.m., when the stewards discover an electric battery. As a rosu.l three persons and the well known pony Prince Offa were disqualified for life. Pri neo Offa Jin in the first division of the Ascot Handicap. When betting opened on the event lie was at 6 to 1. but as very little money came to him he eased a. couple of points. Then the stable commissioners commenced to operate, and so heavily was the gelding supported that at fiagfall bo was third favourite tit 5 to 1, after having touched a quotation a point shorter.

Usually Prince Offa is a slow beginner, hut yesterday he was first to show out. and was clear of his opponents '-after a furlong had been covered. Near the half-mile, however, he dropped hack about three lengths as a result ot slight interference caused by Australian Light and OTbocbon, each of which moved up smartly on the outside.

Entering the straight behind the pair. Prince Offa ran out wide, but finished in good style only to be beaten narrow!v into fourth peace. OBSKR VA NT STEWARD.

When the horses returned to the weighing enclosure, J. Donoboo. one of the stipendiarv stewards, is alleged to have noticed J. Martin (rider oT Prince Offa) hand something to AY. Heaves, th<> gelding’s attendant. The stewards lost no time in ordering both .Martin and Deaves into their room.

The officials commenced to search . Leaves, who at first resisted. On tho notice being called, however, Dqives was searched, and lie pulled from his right-hand trouser pocket a small electric battery and gave it to one of the officials. Leaves is alleged to have mid when handing the instrument over: “Martin did .no give this to me.” The stewards at once opened an inquiry into the case, at the conclusion of which they issued the following report : “An inquiry wiis held into the alleged u.-o of an electric battery on Prince Offa in (he first division of the Ascot Handicap. “Alter hearing the evidence of A. (J. Craft ( owner and trainer), AY. Leaves, (who saddled the horse), and .lames Martin (rider) the stewards were satisfied that the battery had been used, and they decided to disqualify A. G. Craft. AY. Leaves. ,T. Martin, and the gelding for life.” The battery is about two and a half .inches long and an inrh and a I*ilf wide. At one end it has two brass pins, and around the instrument was wound a. piece of elastic tape with a hole in end. through which a person could place his thumb. To use tin' lmt.tery one has only to place it in the palm of the hand, and bring the two brass pins in contact with a horse, thus completing a circuit and giving the animal a shock. A seven-vear-old gelding by King Offa (imp.) from Lady Don.iehie. Prince Offa has been a good stakewinner for Craft. Since Iho beginning of 1925, he had iron nine races, and was placed on 29 other occasions. The gelding’s last win was at Ascot on December Bth, when ridden bv L. Shofl. At his last three or four outings, however. Prince Otla was ridden by R. Craft, a son of A. 0. Craft, and so well did he shape in the hands of the inexperienced lad that the public were waiting for a stronger rider to have the mount before supporting the gelding. RVREI.Y DISCOVERED. The discovery of electric batteries is very rare in Australia, as the instruments are so small that it is hard to detect them. At Adelaide recentlv, however, one was found. The previous ease in Sydney was about eight or ten yenrs ago, when a battery was discovered on a jockey at an unregistered meeting. On this occasion the instrument was iittached to the lad's body, and came into contact with the horse through the spurs . The battery was examined by many officials at the racecourse. Several touched the two points and received shocks from the tinv contrivcinee. “A shock from this would go right through a. horse.” said one man. '

Finally the battery was handed over to Detective-Sergeants Keogh and Barrett, of police headquarters. The remarkable power of the battery is obtained by very fine wound induction roils, somewhat similar to those on a medical battery. In view of its essential smallness, its manufacture i» a job for an expert.