VALKON CASE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 476, 4 October 1928, Page 6

VALKON CASE

APPEALS DISMISSED TRAINER MAY GO TO RACING CONFERENCE (Special to THE SUN) WANGANUI, Wednesday. An echo of the case that caused quite a stir in Wanganui racing circles three weeks ago, and also had its effects on Te Aroha’s centre of activities, was heard in Wanganui yesterday, when the appeal of A. E. Cox (trainer) and E. A. Keesing (jockey) was dismissed by the Wanganui District Committee. The appellants desired the removal of the sentence of suspension for 12 months, inflicted on them by the Judicial Committee on Saturday, September 15, as a result of an inquiry into the running of Valkon in the Marangai Handicap on the opening day of the Wanganui spring fixture, Thursday, September 13. In that event Valkon finished third to Catkin and Blimp, and it was considered by the stewards that the horse was not run on its merits, the trainer and jockey being held culpable, while the owner, who was not present at the meeting, was exonerated from any complicity in the matter. How the Horse Ran Valkon was favourite for the race in question, and was again installed the elect of backers in the Higgie Handicap on the concluding day of the meeting, but failed to go better for A. Tinker than he had done for Keesing, finishing fourth, after being in a leading position most of the way. Thus the Valkon boom burst with a vengeance, and when the Valkyrian gelding finished fourth in the Avondale Cup those who considered Valkon was

not quite ready at Wanganui were held justified in their opinion. It was not much satisfaction to the trainer and jockey, however, when the Wanganui District Committee decided to dismiss the appeal, though it was not till after a lengthy sitting that the decision was reached. It is understood that the committee was not altogether unanimous, and some held the sentence was too severe. Seen afterwards, trainer Cox stated that his present intention was to carry his appeal to the Racing Conference, and in view of the fact that Keesing admitted committing an error of judgment in not riding to orders, the Te Aroha trainer appears to have good grounds for appeal.