OH! GEORGE

NZ Truth, Issue 1301, 20 November 1930, Page 13

OH! GEORGE

Then Sadness Set In

(From "N.Z.'. Truth's" Auckland Rep.) When Glenstar romped to vie-' i tory m the Waimai Hurdles at Te.Rapa on opening day, onlookers were beginning to wonder just how good he was. i THE guessing competition was shortlived, however, for when his jockey stepped on the scales it was discovered that, instead of George Reid's hurdler carrying the steadier of 11.4, his task had been made lighter by travelling along a stone under-weight. At the scales George Reid was astounded. He had been torpedoed m the midriff; but there it was — he had to grin and bear it. There was an inquiry as to how it all happened, but it was hard to sheet the blame home. George is positive nothing was lost, but he evidently committed an expensive error by not gazing at the face of the scales when -his horseman was being weighed out. The scales were facing the official only at that time, but they were afterwards twisted round, this giving more complete satisfaction tb everyone concerned.' However, though the impression got about that the clerk of the scales may possibly have erred, "Truth" knows the official concerned to be very experienced and painstaking. Just who was to blame m this particular instance is hard to determine. Glenstar's rider, W. H. Preston (an apprentice of Reid's) was having his flrst leg-up m a race, and under the circumstances it seems G.R. took a chance when he did not take especial care. '-... I It was certainly extremely bad luck for Reid, and generally sympathy was expressed, for George had been experiencing a lean .time, and ' Glenstar's victory, with the handsome dividend, would have been especially welcome. However, he had to lose the stake, and Frank Loomb's Air King secured first money. Trainers cannot be too careful iri the. matter of weights, and it is dollars to doughnuts that George Reid will not be caught again. .