THE SCRATCHING OF NATATOR.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2517, 14 April 1881, Page 2

THE SCRATCHING OF NATATOR.

SECOND EDITION

[By Telegraph.]

Dunedin, April 13, The adjourned meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club was held to-night with reference to the scratching of Natator for the Forbury Handicap, In answer to a question, it was explained. by the Secretary that the scratching took place at 10 minutes past eleven on the morning of the race. A discussion then took place, Mr Gourhty said that since last meeting he had learned something more about the matter, having heard that Mr Lance had been talking to the jockey. If Mr Lance had been inclined to act fairly he should have scratched the horse that night, and failing this an injustice was done to the public. He thought the horse and owner should be disqualified. Mr Stronach was not in favor of going so far, but thought that Mr Lance should have scratched the horse before he did. Mr Hazlett thought that evidence was wanted that Mr Lance was a gainer by the scratching of the horse. Mr Dowse said that there was not a member present who considered it an honest ac tion, but it would be going too far to disqualify Mr Lance. After further discussion, a motion by Mr Gourley that the horse Natator and Mr Lance be disqualified was lost, and the following motion carried— (> Having received a letter from the Hon. W. Robinson, together with the explanation of Mr 11. P. Lance with regard to the scratching of Natator for the Forbury Handicap on February 26, the committee consider the same highly unsatisfactory, and express strong disapproval of the course pursued in allowing the horse to remain in the betting nearly four hours after he had left Dunedin and for a long time after Mr Lance had decided to send the horse away.”