SORRY HE SPOKE.

NZ Truth, Issue 141, 29 February 1908, Page 2

SORRY HE SPOKE.

A, slight sensation was caused m English racing circles lately when it was announced that -the stewards of the English Jockey Olub had inquired into a case of alleged doping rat' Kempton Park, although no names were mentioned and. no clue was given as to who the, ' accused persons were. The only witnesses examined were the erstwhile Australian trainer, Dick Wootton and his son Frank, andi after due consideration, the stewards; decided that .the accused person had nothing to do with the saddling' of the horse, : oil lie was ex- 1 ; onerated. Naturally, mucli speculation was indulged, m as to who the [alleged culpri^ Was, but all doubt ! were set at rest by the publication of the following advertisement m the ■ English sporting pape~fs .:^—> ' An Apology .r— Sir,— l sincerely regret having publicly repeated. a statement made to me at a recent race meeting that Mr Richard Wootton, owner and. .trainer of rnoehorses at Epsom, had doped Let Go the Painter on the occasion of its winning; at the KemPton Park November meeting. I find that there was neitftpr truth m, nor justification for, such statements, and I apologise for hav-

ing repeated them, and agree to this apology being inserted m the sport- 1 ing papers at my expense.— Edward Robson. The whole trouble appears to have arisen from somebody with little brains and plenty of tongue, spreading rumors about Wootton to injure his reputation, and as the latter, has been showing the English fraternity a few points, Robson seized upon the chance of getting home on Dick. Robson is a trainer of some standing m England,- and consequently some notice was taken of his statements, and probably at present he is extremely sorry that he allowed his jealousy to smother his better ..feelings. y •