APPRENTICE PAYS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 730, 1 August 1929, Page 13

APPRENTICE PAYS

INTERFERED WITH AUCKLAND HORSE Following on lust Saturday week’s interference at Moorelield, which occasioned official Inquiries, comes another instance of a serious nature from Canterbury on Saturday, says a Sydney writer under date of July 22. Mintage (owned in Auckland) was badly interfered with in the Nursery Handicap, and stewards at once began investigation. Many people read something sinister into the case because of a queer interlude in the betting. it is quite possible that something of a sensational nature will develop from the stewards* inquiry. Mintage had won last start at Canterbury, but Accepted, who had shown unusual pace in a Rosehill race some weeks ago, was the opening favourite, and held his position despite the appearance of an unknown apprentice as He started at a short quote. Blew in Betting Mintage opened at threes and shrewd bettors rushed in to take that price, believing that lie might become favourite in view of the unfashionable jockey on Accented. Hut Mintage, drifted. A fair nount of money went on him in substantial wagers, and many smaller bets were made by the public, but gradually he eased. It seemed as if the books scented that he couldn’t win, so persistent were they in blowing him out of the market, and at last he touched more than twice rhe opening odds. Mintage was one of the first off, and held second place behind Poppy Boy. Suddenly Accepted came alongside, and Mintage dropped back as if struck in some way. That put him completely out of the race, and Accepted went on to win very easily. Always a Boom Accepted, the winner, has been a great boom through his galloping ability on the tracks of Warwick Farm, but until Saturday he remained a_ maiden. He ran in erratic manner in most races, and indications are thai now he has become experienced lie will win further prize money, for he is good. No doubt it was to get a price that the unknown apprentice, McHue, was given the mount. He has ridden a winner before, and he has piloted Accepted in his work. The stable belief, however, was that he merely bad to “stay on’* Accepted to win. The expected price was not forthcoming. Apprentice Pays A sequence of interference and mishap in recent registered racing on the suburban courses resulted yesterday in the first punishment meted out to alleged offender, says the same writer on the following day. An apprentice, whose average of rides in races has been not much more than one every few months, was suspended. This was the outcome of the inquiry into the interference to MintageMintage was a heavily backed candidate, whose chance was, however, frustrated by the better backed Accepted. who started favourite. Mintage suffered a knock that put him out of the race completely, and it won’t be any consolation to the many who lost heavily on him that Accepted’s rider was suspended for careless riding for doing it. It is possible that Accepted would have won under any circumstances, but the interference to Mintage, the °nly horse threatening danger at the time, probably helped matters for a favourite on whom the stable and its followers plunged very heavily. The stewards’ report of the case wn s: —. “The adjourned inquiry into the interference to Mintage in the Nursery Handicap was concluded. “After taking further evidence, the stewards found that A. McHue, rider of Accepted, was to blame, and they accordingly suspended him from riding in races for two months for careless riding. ’