UNDER A BAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 135, 29 August 1927, Page 7

UNDER A BAN

WALLRGON BLACK-LISTED CAUSES GENERAL SURPRISE

WELL-BEHAVED IN THE NORTH

THE ‘'Referee,” the official calendar of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, in its issue of August 25, contains an intimation that Wallroon (Wallace L —Octoroon), has been placed on the “schooling list,” and, consequently, is ineligible to start in any race in New Zealand. Such drastic action is taken under Rule 141 a, Part XI., which gives the association such power where a horse is reported (a) for being “habitually” unruly at the start or during the running of a race; (b) for lack of schooling at the barrier; (c) any peculiarity or defect which will make it a danger to its horseman or other horses and horsemen in a race.

THE rule also provides that the association may, upon receiving a report from a stipendiary steward, or upon such other evidence as may be deemed sufficient cause the name of such horse to be removed from the schooling list. It also makes a proviso in the following: “Nothing in this rule shall be deemed to prevent the association giving special permission for any horses listed to start in saddle races.” Unfortunately no provision is made for the connections of a horse to state a case when reported in the first instance. Every right-thinking supporter of the light harness sport will agree that the New Zealand Trotting Association is acting wisely and well in using the “schooling” list as a means toward keeping fractious horses from competing at fixtures under its jurisdiction. There are some pacers and trotters in commission in the Dominion who are

known only for the trouble they occasion the starter and others engaged in the same events, and when such are placed on the “black list” there is a general round of approbation from light harness enthusiasts. ENTITLED TO CONSIDERATION It will bo admitted, however, that such action should be taken only after a thorough test, and owners and trainers of offenders are surely entitled to be heard in such cases. There are, of course, instances when on explanation would have any effect toward alleviation of the penalty, and where owners would not even offer any objections to the disqualification. Oh the other hand, cases have come under notice where hardships have been imposed upon owners by the hasty decision perhaps of the authorities. Reference was made recently to the case of the trotter St. Pe*trox, and there was no doubt in the public mind that his connections were harshly dealt with. This customer was making his initial appearance before a race crowd and not being used to such an exciting affair this high-strung trotter was unruly, and his connections paid the penalty, an appeal not terminating in their favour. A SURPRISE PACKET But the disqualification of Wallroon, imposed since his outings at Addington, has come as a big shock, not only to owner Ward and trainer Rogers, but also to the trotting populace of this district, who have seen the son of Wallace L—Octoroon racing for nearly three seasons. Those who have witnessed Wallroon’s performances in this province will readily admit that at all times his conduct has been above reproach. Given a chance, “Abaydos” has no doubt but that his owner or trainer could have advanced an explanation in justification of Wallroon’s change of tactics at Christchurch, but the horse was tried, condemned and sentenced without the connections being aware of such an undertaking. They have not yet received any official intimation of the disqualification, and are only aware of the restrictions placed on the pacer through the notice in the “Referee.” THEORIES ADVANCED There are two theories advanced Cor Wallroon’s misdemeanour at Addington. Just prior to the first day’s racing the Wallace L horse met with an accident through striking his head against the limb of a tree. The contact caused an abrasion of the nose, where the overcheck goes, and it is contended that when the barrier flew out the horse, who is a sensitive gentleman, scented what he considered more danger and became frightened. That there is no myth about the accident can be proved even now by the scar on Wallroon’s nose. Again, it is mentioned that originally the pacer was owned and trained in the South, and many trotting enthusiasts in Christchurch remember that in his earlier days he was a fractious animal. He was educated in a hard school and at that time had “a bee ?n his bonnet,” knocked there, it is said, with batons and other hefty weapons. UNEXPECTED VAGARIES Well-bred horses are given credit for possessing a keen brain and their bump of remembrance is well developed. On reaching Christchurch, his trainer informed the writer, the horse appeared nervy, but worked splendidly on the Addington track, doing everything in his usual style. No one was more surprised than Rogers to find the usually brilliant beginner refusing to leave the peg and becoming a tiuisance, but it is claimed that only in his last effort at the barrier did Wallroon interfere with the chances of other competitors. WALLROON’S NORTHERN CAREER The Mangere-trained pacer was acquired by his present owner, S. Ward, some two and a-liulf years ago and

was under Percy Rogers’s care for a period. He first sported silk at Alexandra Park at the Fleet fixture of August, 1925. It must be mentioned that Yv’allroon was not raced in the 1924-25 season in Christchurch, probably because of his troublesome manner, and he was then sold to the Auckland sportsman. Although he was unsuccessful in his initial attempt in Auckland, Wallroon behaved like an aristocrat, and two months later at the Otahuhu meeting Rogers drove him home a winner in the Papatoetoe Handicap. This was followed by a win in the Waikato Cup. NO SIGN OF VICE Next season Wallroon was under the supervision of trainer Jack Shaw, who experienced no difficulty with the pacer, and won the Richmond Handicap at the Otahuhu summer fixture. The son of Wallace L also spent a term under mentor A. Brown, while he did not succeed in securing any first certificates from the judge, he would have been given good conduct badges

by the various starters. I-Te returned during last season to Percy Rogers, and was a competitor at the Auckland winter gathering, where he put up a fine performance for third money in the Adams Memorial Cup. A FAIR DEAL WANTED It will be seen then that during the two and a-half years Wallroon has been training and racing in this province he has an excellent record for conduct at the barrier, and it seems both harsh and unjust that his depredations at Christchurch should have earned the displeasure of the powers that be to such an extent. Had the connections been given an opportunity to state a case, which, after all, under the rules of British fair play, they are entitled to, there is no doubt a different complexion would have been placed upon the affair. An appeal will no doubt he lodged at once by Wallroon’s connections, and if given a fair hearing, which should be theirs by right, they will be able to bring adequate and convincing proof from Aucklanders of the good behaviour of their pacer. It is to be hoped the question will be cleared up at an early date, otherwise, the owner will be unable to nominate for the Auckland spring fixture.

TROTTING FIXTURES September 17.—Wellington T.C. October 15.—Inangahua T.C. October 15-19.—Auckland T.C. October 22-24. —Greymoutli T.C. November S-10-11.—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. November 19-23.—Otahuhu T.C. NOMINATIONS Aug. 26—Wellington Trotting Club October 7—Greymouth Trotting Club ACCEPTANCES September 7—Wellington Trotting Club October IS—Greymouth Trotting Club