AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 270, 12 November 1894, Page 3

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

MEETING OF STEWARDS,

A MEfcTiNG of stewards of the Auckland Racing Club was held ab noon bo-day bo consider protests entered by Mr S. Lyell (owner of Ben Godfrey) and Mr John Chaafe (trainer of Forme) relative to alleged foul riding in the deciding heat of bhe Ciby Handicap, run ab Ellerslie on Saturday last. There were' present: Messrs M, Clark, A. Carrick, Richard Duder, T. Cottle, N. Alfred Nathan, Blomfield, Nolan, Caverhill, J. Dickey, H.T. Gorrie and Colonel Dawson. The lastnamed gentleman was voted to the chair. John Chaafe, trainer of Forme, stated he was standing at tho steeplechase fence. First Nelson jammed and put Forme on to the rails and crossed right in front of her. First Nelson was about, half a length in front of Forme, and Ben Godfrey's head was about Forme's girths. Chaafe further said there was no room for Ben Godfrey to come up inside from where he was standing. Roberb Hall, the rider of Forme, in the employ of George Wright, said when First Nelson gob halfway pasb Forme, he crossed him and knockod bis mount on Ben Godfrey. He could not say which horae knocked the rail down. First Nelson was on the oubside, about half a length in front of Forme. Hall also said if Firsb Nelson had nob struck Forme his mounb would nob have hib Ben Godfrey. The sbriking of Forme cosb her the race. Alfred Marshall, labourer, who was standing seven or eight paces from where bhe occurrence book place, said Ben Godfrey attempted to come up inside when the rider of First Nelson pulled right up againsb Ben Godfrey. The latter wenb up on his hind legs, and in going up he knocked the rail out. Walter J, Conway, bootmaker, who was standing close to the 1£ mile post, said Firsb Nelson bumped on to Forme and knocked Ben Godfrey on bo the rails. From whab he saw bhe rider of First Nelson was bo blame. There was room for Ben Godfrey bo come up on tho inside. There was room for nearly 2 horses to come up. He bhoughb Hodson was the sole one to blame.

D. Creamer, the rider of Ben Godfrey, eaid that when coming round the turn he got up on the inside. When half way down [.bhe Btraighb Firsb Nelson was on the outside and Forme in the middle. Hall sung oub bo Hodeon to pull out. Instead of Hodeon pulling oub he pulled in. So far as he could see, Hodeon pulled his horse right in ou Ben Godfrey. Fireb Nelson came on to Forme, which put Forme on to Ben Godfrey, Be saw no more.

John Carey, in the employ of George Wright, who was standing at the 1£ mile post, said Hodson deliberately bumped Forme on to the rails. Ben Godfrey was nob trying bo come en the inside.

J. B. Williamson, trainer of Ben Godfrey,' eaid from the stand he saw that First Nelson interfered with Forme, and Forme with Ben Godfrey.

George Cutts, who started the race, said he was within 50yds of the horses at the timo of tho occurrence. He was standing on the course proper. Ho considered the wholo fault lay with First Nelson. Ib was a very gross case. There was not room for Ben Godfrey to go up on the inside. Forme was hugging the rail closely. The rail was knocked out by Ben Godfrey. After F. Smith, butcher, Newmarket, was examined, the inquiry was adjourned for an hour.

Lefb Sitting.)