SINGULAR RACING SUIT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 130, 19 October 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

SINGULAR RACING SUIT

THREE .STARTERS: THREE NONTRIERS. A WITNESS' FRANK STATEMENT. Melbourne. September -25. A trainer and jockey made some very frank admissions to-day when giving evidence in a suit brought by Sinclair Adkins, farmer and grazier, of Ste/leeki, against John Wren, for the recovery of £SOOO damages for alleged libel. The case put forward by plaintiff was that, prior to December 1, 1011, he had at various times entered his pony under the name of Ladylike to compete on defendant's racecources at Ascot and Richmond, and that the alleged libels were contained in telegrams sent by John Wren (defendant) to him, and in a verbal communication made at an inquiry into the running of Ladylike, and made to persons other than stewards and privileged persons. Defendant paid a sum of £SO into court in satisfaction of the claim for £SOO, or redemption of the" pony. Thomas Kings, who described himeslf as a trainer and jockey, said that Adkins had placed the pony Ladylike in his charge, and he raced her on Wren's course at Richmond. Ladylike was not identical with the Sydney pony True Love. Wren had taken possession of the pony from him. The mare was in racing condition, but she was not so now, and would probably never be worth 2d again. He denied that any thing had been done to disfigure Ladylike, and her tail had not been dyed. Cross-examining witness, Mr Wineeke said: You have been suspended twice on Mr Wren's course, and not allowed to ride again?—l've never asked to. How many times have you been disqualified?— That's a hard thing to say. Over 20 times ?—Yes quite that. More, all over the country. What were you disqualified for on those occasions?— For doing what the. owner told me. (Laughter.) If an owner tells you to do a thing, you will do it?—l will. You won't consider anyone but the owner?— No.

If an owner tells you to do anything you will, and I suppose you will say what he tell* you to say?—No, I draw the line at saying things. You won't say things?—No, but I'll rids to his orders, and risk the consequences. Do you remember riding a horse called Fly, at Jubilee. Park?— Yes. Was you horse favorite?—l could not aay. What were your instructions on that occasion? —Not to win. But she was a bit too strong for you? —No, she wasn't. The Chief Justice: Were the others too slow? (Laughter.) Mr Winecke: How many horses were in that race?— Three. And did you pull your horse up? —The three of us pulled our horses up, and walked home. Was the race run out?—No, not all of it. Did the whole three of you get instructions not to win? —It looked like it.

James John Donohoo, manager of Victoria Park Racecourse, in Sydney, giving evidence for the defence, said he first saw Truelove on the Victoria Park racecourse in March, 1010. He last saw her in Sydney about 18 months ago. He had seen her at a stable off Burke street Melbourne, nine months ago, and there identified her. Saw her still there last week. Mr Bryant (for the plaintiff): Are you not a particular crony of Mr Wren? Witness: Xo, I wish I was. (Laughter.) Were you ever warned off the the Kensington course in Sydney?— Yes, about six years ago. What for? —For taking part in the formation of an association to condemn small courses, on the grounds that they were unsafe and that the prize money was too small.

Was Kensington one of these courses? —lt was offering small prize money. And did they disqualify the other 609 memebrs of the association?— Yes, for the time being. Did you go on to the course without permission ? —Yes. Did they try to throw you oil? They tried, but they could not do it. I had an action against them after they tried. (Laughter.) What happened to the action? —It was settled, and they gave me a free pass for life for the course. (Laughter.) Continuing, witness said Truelove was cranky tempered when she was in Sydney. When he saw Truelove in Melbourne nine months ago, he could see she had been dyed chesnut. All the dye was off her body, but it was not off her tail.

Have you seen horses dyed ? —Yes, 20 or so in Sydney, and I am sorry to say they mostly came from Victoria. (Laughter.) They are nearly all dyed chestnut. Did you tell Mr Wren you thought Truelove was dyed?— Yes. .Tames Joseph Donohoo, son of the previous witness, and a pony trainer, said he saw Truelove run in Sydney on January IS of this year for the last time. He identified Truelove at Tattersail's Bazaar in Melbourne. The case stands partly heard.