THE RACEHORSE MARITANA AND MB. DELAMAIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 38, 7 January 1879, Page 3

THE RACEHORSE MARITANA AND MB. DELAMAIN.

The Advocate of.Saturday contains the following :-— On the evening of the first day of the^ race' meeting at Rangitikei, Messrs T. Brum and Thane of Wanganui, drew Maritana in J. W. /Jackson's ; sweep on' the handicap., •jfhey were considerably surprised to; be informed by wire that Mr Dei-' ainaine demanded a share in the sweep, or otherwise Maritana should net run. Finally after some negotiation this patron of the turf was in* duced to accept MO, and. Maritana •was permitted to start. We> only know of one case on this Coast -where a similar demand was m-ide, and that was one which need npt here be cited, as the proposer was not by any means a model sportsman. Better things might certainly have been expected of. a, gentleman of Mr Delamaine's turf experience and prestige. We were so satisfied that we must have been misinformed thafc we quietly asked him if such were the case. Bis reply \toa to the effect that such a course was quite customary, or otherwise he he would not have proposed it. He Said he was up here looking after Maritana for the owner, and doing the best he could in his interest and finding he could get nothing on in connection with the mare except what he literally dragged out, he considered he was entitled to do the best he could in the interest of the owner So do we, but we cannot consider the proposal, or rather, demand aecom* panied with the implied threat replied to as anything . approaching , a legitimate turf transaction. The holders qt Maritana in the sweep acted very- foolishly' \u giving way at ; ; tfiey" 'should have let Mr Belamaine carry out hiß threat and see what would come of it. Had the mare been scratched after threats had been made use of, the who^e matter would require investigation, -As it is a very unfavourable impression has been created among thoso •who believe in honourable dealings in turf matters, and it v doubtful if the matter will .be allowed to rest -where it is. We shall be anxious to hear what the "Australasian "has to say on this -point, as wo understand the whole matter will be submitted . ; ar^ority en gracing- matters. The^'opinion expressed by all whom we heard speak of the incident was surprise. that such a demand should have emanated from such a source, and no less so that the holders should r have been so easily intimidated. Had they given the matter a moment's reflection they must have known that they held the whip hand, and they should h&ve treated with the contempt to which they were entitled any threats of refusal to start Maritana. We scarcely think Mr Ray I will endorse the. action of his agent "tn the matter.