WHISKY FOR HORSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 January 1940, Page 9

WHISKY FOR HORSE

STORY STARTED AS A JOKE.

The trainer of the Australian racehorse, Maikai, denies the story, circulated freely in Australian papers that Maikai was regularly given whisky on race mornings. Whisky, as a tonic, stimulant, or by whatever name it is called, must come within the category of "dope” and it was not surprising that the Victorian Racing Club called upon F. Godby, the trainer, for an explanation. Afterwards they issued the following statement:—“The stipendiary stewards interviewed F. Godby, trainer of Maikai, concerning the statement which appeared in the Press that whisky had been administered before the horse ran in the Williamstown Cup and Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield. Godby declared that no whisky had been given to Maikai before the horse raced, and that the statements in the Press that it had been administered were incorrect. The stewards accepted Godby’s explanation.” To the “Daily Telegraph” Melbourne correspondent Godby said that the whisky traveller and sent me half a think a pal of mine started it. He is a wrisky traveller and sent me half a dozen botles. I might have said, jokingly, Maikai would have a drink with me, or something of the kind,” he added. “But I have never given Maikaiwhisky.” Dr G. G. Heslop, stipendiary steward, reiterated that what happened at Godby’s stable did not concern the stewards officially. Godby had been asked for his version because of the tremendous publicity the case had received. “Of course,” added Dr Heslop. “if a horse was obviously suffering from a stimulant or dope on arriving at the course, action would immediately be taken. In any case, alcohol is diffiusable, and it would be extremely hard to detect it if given at a reasonable time before coming to the course.”