NOT FOR COMMON GOOD

NZ Truth, Issue 1194, 18 October 1928, Page 15

NOT FOR COMMON GOOD

Peculiar Running In Stewards' At Epsom Trots

(From "N.Z: Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) It would have come as no surprise to have witnessed a hostile' demonstration over the doings m the Stewards' Handicap at Alexandra Park on Monday.

F)ROB ABLY the only reason why no JT 'disturbance was made was that the first favorite, Pageant, eventually secured the verdict, though even on that score 99 per cent, of those on the stewards', Press, and members' stand had already concluded that Taipare was the victor. r They received a bit of a shock when the judge ruled otherwise, but the angle is tricky at Epsom. The man m the box is m the only position to know what is what, though even he missed Jackie Audubon's third m the Spring Handicap, placing Western King (which finished sixth) m that position; That was probably owing to the judge being puzzled over the colors, and it can be said of him that he was found willing to rectify the mistake. Getting back to the Stewards' Handicap, the capers of most of the half-dozen drivers over the first mile were really hard to fathom. The pace, was painfully slow, the driver of Fight Ever being 1 the only one to display any activity. This enabled his charge to get up near the leaders early from 60yds. behind. None of the others seemed inclined to make any real pace over the first

part,, but when Taipare set out to increase the speed some of the others resolved to keep within range. Over the final furlong it was a case of heading Taipare off, though had the gelding hot put m a skip before entering the home turn he would have maintained . a distinct lead which the judge could .not have missed. There may not "have been anything seriously' wrong, but it certainly looked peculiar, and the stewards would have been quite within their 'rights had they haled all the drivers before them for explanations. To say the least, most people wondered if there could be anything: doing and whether something choice went astray. • That Taipare's bolt for the stake had something to do with upsetting a "setter" was the impression left m many minds. "Truth" offers no comment on the impression formed, but it. does say that it would have given more satisfaction had a full inquiry been .made. V If many such exhibitions are allowed to go unchallenged it will not.be for the good of trotting as a sport.