MASTERTON-OPAKI JOCKEY CLUB.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5000, 13 April 1895, Page 2

MASTERTON-OPAKI JOCKEY CLUB.

THE SLAIDEN CASE. A meeting of Stewards of Masterton-Opaki Jockey Club, 1 hold at the Club Hotel, last Thi day afternoon, to deal with alleged inconsistent running of horse Slaiden. Present—Messrs W. Cave (President), A, A. Elk H. Yates, W. lorns, T. D. Thoi son, E. E. Chamberlain and Cameron.

Wi Hutana was called in, and Btnted that he first obtained Slaiden and arranged to pay for him out of the winnings. Tins occurred after the Heretaunga Race Meeting when Mr Walker told witness he could have the borso for £35. Subsequently at Greytown, offered Mr Walker the stakes until the horse was paid for, Walker agreed, providing the horso was run in Walker's name until the £35 had been received bv him. Witness wanted the agreement put in writing, but Walker said, "Yoia have known me from a boy, that will not be necessary," Witness then agreed to take Walker's w»rd and took the horse away. Topham, the trainer, and Walker's son-in. law were present. Trained the horso and was sure he could hayo won tho double. Told Walker tho horse could win, and if he backed it to send the money to the Secretary, and to tell him to see witness beforo putting it on tho machine. Walker said "All right. I think I shall be there." The next he knew Walker sold the horse without his knowledge. His man wanted to buy the horse for £IOO to take to Sydney, Witness would not sell the horso and refused to run it "stiff" at Mastertou in the first race as had been suggested to him. In reply to the Chairman Wi Hutana said he had prepared ttJ horse for the first race and employe? Kingan to ride. Was quite satisfied in his own mind that the performance was not satisfactory, and therefore refused to allow the same jockey to ride again, His trainer had been communicating with Patterson llros unknown to witness. Kingan was engaged to ride by witness and Heed also. A letter from Frederick Kingan, jockey, was then read stating that Charles Patterson had come to him before the Handicap Hack Race at Opaki, and said ho had purchased Slaiden and asked what chance he (Kingan) thought the horso had, He told Patterson he had ridden the horse in both his races in Wellington and did not think he was a stayer, and could not get the distance, so not to back him heavily and to put witness' losing mount only on the horse. The horse tired at tho straight and was unable to win, and he (Kingan) thought if Slaiden started at Tauhcrenikau in good company the result would bo tho) same. 4 Kingan in his letter, also expressed his willingness to be in attendance at the enquiry if his presence was necessary. Mr T. Walker was next called and gave an account of the first transaction re Slaiden with Wi Hutana, when he offered to take £35 for tho animal. Subsequently Topham and Wi Hutana came to Greytown and offered to take the horse at the price named. Wi Hutana said he hadnot the money at present, and witness then said tho horse would have to run in his (Walker's) name till it was paid for. The horse was in Topham's charge and had never been takcu out of his hands. The night beforo the Opaki Races, Wi Hutana, on being asked by witness what ho intended to do with The Toad and Slaiden both in the one race, Wi Hutana said ho intended to win with The Toad if he could, Witness then] thought he had better sell his when bo could, and accepted Patterson's offor to buy tho horse. Had never previously been approached by Patterson with reference to the horse. Tho salo was all fixed up in about fivo minutes. Had never agreed with Wi Hutana to wait for the money till it was won. Was anxious to get his money j that was why ho wished to sell. Wi Hutana told witness h Greytown that Slaiden could win both the races at Opaki, and afterwards, when ho said The Toad was going for it, witness got his blood up, and sold to the first purchaser. When the trouble occurred, Patterson gave up tho horso at once, when asked to by witness. Had refused offers of larger sums for tho horso, having fixed his prico at £35.

E. Patterson stated that eithor Topham or Manning had told him about the horse on the course, afite that he was a good horse and couloT be purchased for £35. Agreed to take the horse and sent his brother over to make the necessary arrangements, buying the horse with all ' engagements. Kingan just then camo out and seeing he was to ride,witnesß asked him what chance the horse had, Kingan said ho did not think the horse was a stayer. Aftorwards Kingan asked witness to put £2 on for him, Witness put £lB on the machine. When the dispute occurred before the last race, witness was not sorry to get his £35 back.as he found tho horse not so good as he thought. Neither witness nor his brother had any bets with Wi Hutana. If hehad been running the horse crooked it was not likely ho would haye parted with it, as bysodoinganother jockey might haye rode it home a dozen lengths ahead and shown up the transaction. Had held no communication at all with Mr Walker until he mot him on the couvse at Opaki, and was not told Kingan was to ride until he 6aC& him going out just before the race. M ' F. Topham corroborated the ±- evidence of Air Walker re- the sale " of Slaiden to Wi Hutana. Had been training for both Mr Walker and Wi Hutana, The was never paid for or sold until sold to Patterson, Did not go to Mr Patterson or induce him in any way to buy the horse. It was ' hard to say whether Slaiden could win a mile and-a-quarter race, Would rather say the horse was a non-stayer than a stayer, Had told tho jockey on no account to 'chop up' the horse if he could not win. .Royal Tar and Boquet could always beat : Slaiden over a distance. The horse was a " roarer," and' he really could not say whether or not the hone could get a mile and-a-quarter, His best distance was six furlongs, Had been training horses for 20 years' and never had to appeal- before a Steward's enquiry before, C.Harris stated that'he knew ' I very little of the purchase of the I horse. He had. told Mi-Walker that his money was all right in Grey townA and on the course. Was not cerfainff■ • that he had told Mr Walker that he? would pay the money. Mr Walker had never asked him for it, Wi : ''* j Hutana asked him to bay the horse when the dispute occurred; H*

bought tho horse from Mr Walker on Wi Hutaua's account, keeping the receipt as so curity, T. 0. D'A rcy, assistant Secretary Jo the Jockey Club, stated that Mr flfclkor can to to him on the day of <Rao races, imd asked that a receipt for £35 ho written out, as lie * (Walker) had sold the horse. Witness made i rat tho receipt, as a friend, having kn own Walker for a good many years. By Walker's request the sale nns effected, with all ongngementn. Mr Patterson paid the money an d took the receipt. , Wi Htitana recalled, re-assorted that ho had £ls on Slaiden, outside tho macb ine. Tho Stewards, after hearing tho, evidenca, found that thero was nothing to show a bona jide sale of Slaidon to Wi Hntana before the races, that tho horse's performances 1 showed Slaiden to bo a six furlong . horse, and that ho ran on his merits in tho mile and a quarter race at Opaki.