ATTACK ON HORSE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 18, 1 November 1940, Page 2

ATTACK ON HORSE

MISTAKEN FOR BEAU VITE. BULLETS FIRED AT STABLES. •United Press Association. —Copyright.) MELBOURNE, October 31. A daring attempt to interfere with the New Zealand racehorse, Beau Vite, was made last night or in the early hours of this morning. Beau Vite was quartered at Fred Foir'jsham’s Caulfield stables adjacent to the establishment of the former New Zealander, Jack Fryer, whose string includes El Golea. The latter is a brown horse of similar conformation to Beau Vite, and both horses had been wearing a bandage on a foreleg. The attackers mistook the horses and dealt severely with El Golea, who is now in a bad way. It was thought that the attackers used a needle, but a later examination of El Golea revealed bullet wounds in the near stifle and the off hock. The horse was partially paralysed and was suffering severely from loss of blood. Beau Vite is all right. He has been under guard for the past week. A later message states that the police have ascertained that the shots were fired through'a hole specially cut in the rear of -El Golea’s box at Caulfield. An empty .22 calibre cartridge shell was found outside the stable.

Beau Vite’s trainer, F. McGrath, stated to-day that he had received a hint a few days ago that an attempt would be made to shoot Beau Vite, since when special precautions had' been taken for his safety, a nightwatchmau and dogs being, constantly in attendance at his stall.

McGrath, who described the attempt as dastardly, expressed the opinion that the miscreants apparently mistook El Golea for Beau Vite, owing to their marked similarity' in colour, even to the type of bridles and rugs worn oy them.

Beau Vite and El Golea occupied boxes within 20 yards of one another. Apparently they were watched, but the attackers must have confused the pair when entering their respective boxes. Entrance to the stables was gained through an unoccupied property at the hack.

A veterinary surgeon who examined El Golea has decided upon an X-ray in an effort to locate the bullets', after which he will operate. Beau Vite’s owner, Mr R. Stewart, has no doubt that, the attempt was designed to maim Beau Vite. He extended sympathy to El Golea’s owner, the Hon. Archie Crofts, and to the trainer, J. Fryer. Mr R. Jansen, president of the Victorian Bookmakers’ Association, announced that his association was offer-

ing a reward of £2OO for the appr?hensiqn of the person or persons responsible for the affair, which caused a sensation and widespread indignation. Newspapers recall a similar attack made on Phar Lap in 1930.