SCANDALOUS SCENE ON A RACECOURSE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2503, 29 March 1881, Page 2

SCANDALOUS SCENE ON A RACECOURSE.

By Telegraph. ' Auckland, March 28. AtPanraure races a scandalous scene, occurred in The Panmure- Handicap of 25 sovs. Before the race came off: rumors that *• dark riding”; would bo attempted in the case of Golden Crowa ' were freely circulated, and considerable! interest was taken in it. ' A fairly geodi I start was effected, and Magiciap quickly /,. t took the lead, followed by Flora, Golden: . Crown being last. At the back of the course Golden Crown was. let'out, and* J-’ assumed first place, but immediately*' ' afterwards he collided with a which was knocked down by his. shoulder. Magician and Flora went and it appeared to the spectators that ■ Golden Crown was being palled. At the corner, on the last round. Magician would not turn, and ran some distance off the course, followed by FloraGolden Crown continued alone, bate after proceeding nearly 100 yards ho was pulled up into a walk until Magician had passed. He then started, off again; and the crowd expressed their - disapprobatidn by hooting and hissing.. Magician led during the remainder of the distance, and won with two lengths* ,to spare. The conclusion of the race-' was the signal for the commencement, of a most exciting but disgraceful proceeding. The public closed round thehprsp,. and it was feared that the jockey Byers,“a spn;of the owner, would have; ’ been roughly handled. This was, however, ' prevented by Sergeant Clafck. Charges. , of “Roguery” and “ Swindling” Wer shouted out, and violence to those or , cerned in the pulling of the horse',/.anticipated, but they succeeded/ leaving the course, the infuriated br ' W( j : following them some distanc rj he ' matter was brouglit before the, s tewardß ; - when it was decided that M ; gician ta kC W ®°” e * *'°?. 6ec ™ d, and that Golden Crown be d.squal- , fie d out of the race, on account of-da : ridirfg - ai ;a that, m the op.n.on of t , Je Stew * r fr a n I bets on the events fihould be dec i’ ared off The matter r a , ikeJytobe b ht before the Auck\ aQd E ac i ng Club, The Hera id » bas tbe f o jj oW i Dg

with reference to the “dark riVnmhg ’’ of Golden Crown “ Ever since the weights came out the horse was made a hot favorite, and received gdod.support, the odds being .about §: ; to;<l on his winning. One person had snob a good opinion of the horse’s capabilities that he laid £3O to £lO on liis winning.. !He also hacked .him for, smaller nmoiintg,. and he alleges that Byers stated, pn Friday he would stand, in., with, On telling Byers on, Satudray what wagers he had taken, Byers declined to have anything to do with, .ibeip,: but after being called upon to exploin said he would take an interest of :50s . in them. This first attracted''attention to the matter, and a gentleman on the ground was so certain that ■ Golden ' Crown could win, that he offered £SO 1 o £JO •bout his chance if Byers would allow, him to put 1 his own boy up. ; Byers, refused the offer, and; several persons now made it their business jto, interview the persons suspected .of \hayipg! “ stiffened ’* the ahorse. , 0n * being asked what they - would lay about 1 ; Golden Crown, they replied’3o-to 1 against, but absolutely refused to lay Magician at all. It was now strongly' suspected something was wrong, and the matter was brought under the notice of the stewards. .