Niblick Case Results In Long Disqualification

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 683, 7 June 1929, Page 12

Niblick Case Results In Long Disqualification

An inquiry regarding the ownership of the horse Niblick was held at a meeting of the Auckland District Committee yesterday. It was decided to disqualify for five years from date Ernest G. Rice for breach of rule I. (g) of Part XXXII., of the Rules of Racing. The reading - of the rule in question is as follows:—“If in this or in aijy other country, any person refuses to supply any information, or* to make a written declaration (statutory or otherwise) or statement respecting any matter connected with racing, which the president, executive committee, stewards’ committee, district committee, stipendiary stewards, or racecourse inspectors shall require him to supply or make, he shall be deemed guilty of a corrupt practice.”

Niblick is an eight-year-old gelding by Lucullus —Neckie, and therefore a half-brother to Ruffles. He has not raced very much, his efforts being confined to country meetings, and lias not scored one win. In January, 1923, he ran unplaced in a two-year-old race at the Dargaville meeting held at Ellerslie. At three years he raced three times, at four years once, at five years twice, and at six years seven times (third in the Owhango Hack Handicap at Taumarunui, in the nomination of Mr. E. Rice). At seven years he did not race at all, and this season his only appearance was at the Waikato Racing Club’s spring meeting, when he ran in the Hautapu Hack Handicap in the nomination of Air. E. Harris.

with the Stock- Exchange event last year. It was discovered— when the draw was completed—that the King's colt Gaunlet had been left out. There was. however, on second draw, the to the holder of the ticket marked "the field,” which is always included to provide for contingencies. The incident recalled the famous case—in the Calcutta Sweep—in 1920 when Sir Hugo Cunliffe-Owen's colt

Orpheus, which finished third, was omitted from the draw. The man who then held the ticket for "die field” was pleasantly surprised when he received a cheque for about £20,000. The mistake was stated to be due to the fact that the Racing Calendar sent to India had in error “drawn” marked against Orpheus, which, means “scratched.” The mistake was rectified in a subsequent issue of the Calendar.