SPORTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 47, 24 February 1913, Page 3

SPORTING.

THE WAVE CASE. Melbourne, Friday. The action brought by the jockey, Harold Albert Seastream, of Fleraiugton, against Frederick George O’Neill, formerly a bookmaker, of Melbourne, was further heard by the County Court on Friday, 14th instant, before Judge Wasley and jury. Plaintiff claims £IOOO damages for alleged slanI der and false imprisonment. It was I alleged that O’Neill caused Seastream r to be/ arrested on a false charge of ; blackmail. The defence was that i O’Neill’s statements were true in sub- | stance and in fact. One of the witnesses, John Chevalley, in cross-examination, was asked, “Did Seastream ever pull a horse?” i Not that I know of. 1 Did you?—No. : Never in your life?—l refuse to answer that question. '| Which pays best: riding winners or II pulling horses?—Perhaps both pay. ; (Laughter.) 1 How many horses have you ever pulled?—(No answer). His Honor (to witness): You must answer that question. Counsel for plaintiff: The witness can decline to answer on the ground that it may incriminate him. His Honor (to witness); Do you refuse to answer for that reason?-—Yes. Counsel for defendant: How will it incriminate you?—Well, I’ve got to earn my living the same as you have. (Laughter.) All jockeys pull horses sometimes, don’t they?—So you think. How many jhas Seastream pulled?— None that 1 know of. I suppose if an owner told you his mount was not quite right, and that J)e was not to win, he would pull him. (Laughter.) Do you pull for bookmakers ? (No answer.) Or the owners?—lf an owner told me not to win, I should have to pull. I would not pull for a bookmaker even j if be gave me £IOO. Have you ever been disqualified for corrupt practices?—Once. Altogether T have been disqualified tuo or three times. I was out to win on the Wave. For the defence, Detective Ashton said that on October 7th he visited O’Neill’s office, and secreted himself behind the strongroom door. Seastream came in, and said to O’Neill, “I want £500.” O’Neill replied, “That’s pretty stiff, isn’t it?” Seastream said: “I am sure to go, and must look after myself.” O’Neill said, “Would not £IOO do?” Seastream replied, “No, I want £500.” O’Neill then called out to witness, saying, “I give this man in charge for attenmpted blackmail.” Witness asked Seastream what lie wanted £SOO for, and he replied that he had been “pooled.” Witness told O’Neill he would not take Seastream in charge as he knew him well, but, that he would conduct himself to Inspector Gleesons’ office to explain the case. The hearing was not concluded.

AUSTRALIAN RACING. I ,By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) , Sydney, February 22. At tho Warwick Farm meeting the Warwick Farm Pace Welter resulted: —Cool Air 1, Wechirnblo 2, Ashby (N.Z.) ,2. Won by a head. Eighteen horses started. Time, Irnin BUsec. Molbournoj February 22. At tlio V.A.T.C. meeting the Alma j Stakes resulted:—Myrica 1, Qunir 2, 1 Andelosa 3. Twenty-six horses start- ! od. Won by a head. Time Imin j 15 ; 'sec. I Futurity Statkes.-—Eudorus 1, Vol- ; sloano 2, Cider 3. Twelve started, , including Broadsword and Ireland. The j latter, with Popinjay and Eudorus, \ made the running to the turn. I’opinj jay led into the straight from Eudor■jis, who was in front at the distance, and, stalling off Volsloano’s challenge, won by half a length, with Cider two lengths and a half away third. Time, Imin 27.jsec., equally the Australian i record.

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB. Dunedin, February 22. The Dunedin Jockey Club’s Autumn meeting concluded to-day in showery weather. The attendance was very good and speculation brisk, the totalisator putting through £13,196 as against £16,026 on the corresponding ! day last year. The total for the meeting was £61,349, as compared with I £-11,969 10s last year. Eesults:— Jockey Club Handicap, of 500 sovs: one mile and a quarter.—3 Brown Owl 7.3, 1; 7 Coroniform, 9.0, 2; 2 Tannliauser, 8.5, 3. Won by a length and a half. Time, 2min 10 2-sscc. Hopeful Handicap, of 150 sovs (for two-year-olds); j live furlongs,—l Ogier, 8.10, 1; 2 Veritas, 8.0, 2; t Aye Aye, 0.7, 3. Won by two lengths Time, Imin ssec. Abbotsford Welter, of 130 sovs: seven furlongs.—3 Waikehau, 8.4, 1; 4 King Torrent, 8.2, 2; 5 Ivimona 7.7, 3. Won by four lengths, lime, Imin 31 3-ssec. Waihola Handicap, of 100 sovs; sis furlongs.—l Thrax, 8.10, 1 ; 3 Pleasure Bent, 7.13, 2; 5 Britain’s Crown, 8.11. 3. Won by half a length. Time, Imin 19sec. Wingatui Handicap, of 150 sovs; seven furlongs.—l Medallist, 8.9, 1; 4 Mumura, 7.9, 2; 7 San Severe, 7.1 T 3. Won by three-quarters of a length. Time, Imin 31 l-ssec.

So far from severing liis connection with the turf, King George will start this season with 19 horses in training. Of these four are three-year-olds, nine two-year-olds, and the remainder four-year-olds and upwards. However, there is said to be hut little chance of his Majesty scoring a

classic victory with his three-year-olds and if any event of real importance is credited to him it will be through the medium of the two-year-olds.

At the meeting of the committee ol the Taranald Jockey Club last Tuesday week (says the Sporting writer of the “Taranaki Herald”) exception was taken to the statement which has been made that Lucerne stepped into a help when doing her preliminary in the Farewell Handicap at the local meeting, and thereby caused the injuries which resulted in her death. The raaro certainly mot with an accident whilst doing her preliminary, but it is not correct to say that sho stepped into a hole. The mishap was a peculiar one. Just as Lucerne was galloping past the judge’s box there was a peculiar noise as through something had broken and immediately ' afterwards sho dragged one of her hind legs and after continuing her gallop in a very groggy manner for another chain or so was pulled up and led bac(c to the saddling paddock. With, others the writer had a look at the course immediately after the accident to see if there was any evidence there as to its cause, but there was not. There was no hole and the only slight disfiguration of the turf was where the mare had dragged her hind leg.

The writer of the sporting in the Herald: A number of those pnntei;s who did in their little bit on Lucerne before the mishap occurred to the mar; are still inclined to, grumble,, but the stewards had ho option in the matter but to take up the stand they did. The clause bearing on this point in the Rules of Racing is perfectly clear. It reads:—“lf any ticket bo purchased on a horse which does not weigh out, the stewards may order the amount paid on the purchase of the ticket to bo refunded on production and delivery of the ticket, but no refund shall bo made when the horse on which the ticket was purchased has weighed out.”