PAYMENTS OR FORFEITS

NZ Truth, Issue 1191, 27 September 1928, Page 15

PAYMENTS OR FORFEITS

Trotting Gup Conditions Require Some Revising . , (By "The Toff.") 1 As each first payment day for the New Zealand Trotting Cup passes, so does it become more apparent that the system of forfeits should be introduced m place of the system of payments at present existing.

NEARLY every year provides some sensation or other and the experiences are trying ones for owner and trainer alike. Two years ago Imprint, fresh from startling performances on the Auckland track; was right m the boom as a prospective Cup winner. His acceptance became tangled up somehow or other and he missed the bus, much to the disgust and Indignation of his owner, T. B. Louisson. Last year Jack Potts' owner stepped into the office of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club ono minute past the appointed hour for receiving payments, consequently the American pacer became ineligible for the event. This year, the owner of Terence Dillon, got a fright. When the payments •#ere , announced at 12 o'clock on Thursday last Terence Dillon's name was missing. • A stir was created among the Oamaru gelding's admirers and m the absence of news regarding the son of Author Dillon, everybody- was curious to know what had caused the gelding's withdrawal. As the evening progressed it became known that the gelding had been taken out of the race m error. J, Henderson, trainer, of Terence

Dillon, telegraphed on the previous day to the closing of the payments j continuing the engagements of both his horses, Dalnahine and Terence Dillon. xne telegram was placed m the letter-box at the door of the club's office, and it was overlooked. As the notice had been delivered at the- club's office before the hour fixed for the payments to close, Terence Dillon was re-instated. Then the connections of Jewel Pointer crashed and they are feeling very sore over the matter. The unfortunate mishap was due to the fact that Trainer Shaw was entirely, ignorant that a payment fell due on Thursday last at noon. Owner Moodabe may or may not have received notification that the payment was due,;, but Shaw emphatically denies receiving any notification whatsoever. In view of the complications that occur m connection with payments of races, it would be well for clubs seriously to consider adopting the forfeit system m lieu of requiring owners to make payments. This would mean that only owners wishing to terminate their horses engagements for a race would have to communicate with the club concerned.