THE MALA CASE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 454, 23 June 1937, Page 6

THE MALA CASE

ACCIDENT TO RACEHORSE Hearing Of Damages Claim Sydney, June 22. To-day’s evidence in the case of'the racehorse Mala was directed to show that Mala was very excited after the J ram mishap on Derby morning, October 3. The owner and trainer of Mala, Henry Edgar Russell, is seeking £2OOO damages in a Supreme Court action against the Commissioner of Road Transport and Tramways. The horse required hosing on the course before the Derby, it was Stated, and appeared slightly lame. Russell said he was sure he was going to saddle a Derby winner with Mala, but the acfcident upset the horse and, made all the difference between a win and a loss. The following day the colt walked short in a front leg as well as a hind leg. The New Zealander Keith Raymond Giithrie, who had charge of Mala on the morning of the accident, said Talking Mala in’the Derby. Gold Rod was third. Guthrie declared be had not heard a veterinary officer tell Russell on the Randwick course that Mala was quite fit to take part in the Derby. • Asked by Mr Lamb K.C., who is appearing for the Transport Commissioner, whether it would be cruel to start a horse which was lame, Guthrie replied that it would appear so but it was done every day in the week. The jockey Maurice McCarten, rider of Gold Rod, described the running of the Derby. He said Mala finished, well and on his Derby run would have been a good thing for the Clibborn Stakes from which he was scratched. Mala finished well in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley and in the Melbourne Cup but he was sore after the Cox Plate. This condition might in some way be connected with the injury, sustained in the tram accident. The case was adjourned.