NO DISPUTE

NZ Truth, Issue 1208, 24 January 1929, Page 15

NO DISPUTE

Native Prince Did Not Win

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Auckland Rep.) Had Native Prince won at Wellington there is no saying how many disputes would have arisen. COR his owner to scratch 'him. 'on the • appearance of the handicaps and then be afforded;: the chance, of reinstating him is something exceptionally unusual. -.- „ - Admittedly Mrs. Sweetapple m ignorance of Native* Prince's correct handicap m the Gold Cup was fully justified m running the pencil through his name as the Auckland dailies published an erroneous handicap. But once a horse is scratched the rules of trottjng must surely be interpreted to mean that he cannot take his place m the field. It would be interesting to know if Native Prince 1 was scratched for the Despatch Handicap for Mrs. Sweetapple is reported : to-, have -been' dissatisfied Avith his mark m the Gold Cup no mention being. made of the mile and a-quarter at Hutt Park. Certainly it seems hard that an owner should be deprived of starting his representative through an error iii handicap publication, but tha£ does not do away with the argument that once a competitor is scratched .. he hot be allowed to start.