A FAVORITE’S FAILURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1922, Page 2

A FAVORITE’S FAILURE.

STORY OF FOUL PLAY. 1926 ST. LEGER SENSATION. London, August 26.. A turf talt relating to the Derbywinner, Spion Kop, such as might have been written by Nat Gould, is told by the famous trainer, P. Gilpin, in the Weekly Despatch, in explaining why the horse, after starting favorite in the St. Leger of 192-0, amazed his backers by his dismal failure. Gilpin says that Spion Kop was “nobbled” on the day of the race. The horse had been specially stabled at Doncaster and was perfectly well. He seemed to be a sure winner until noon on the day of the race, when Gilpin decided to have a final look at him before resting. He found the door of the stable. yard unlocked, and he remarked “That’s queer.” He then found the stable door half open, and he exclaimed “We ve been caught.” When Spion Kop was being saddled up he broke into. a cold sweat. It was then too late to mend matters, and the horse ran a lifeless race. Frank Bullock, riding in the same race, saw something seriously wrong with Spion Kop’s flesh after the race. It was as hard as a brick. Gilpin says the affair explains why certain bookmakers inexplicably changed the odds from 9 to 4 to 3 to 1. '