AN UNUSUAL INCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1927, Page 10

AN UNUSUAL INCIDENT.

at otahuhu trots.

I>KTROLEUSE STARTS OFF WRONG

HANDICAP, AND WINS

A peculiar happening, and probably the first of its nature to be recorded in Auckland, occurred at the Otaliuhu Trotting -Club's meeting, held at Epsom yesterday, in connection with the running of the race for the Suburban Handicap Trot, the opening event on the day's programme. Included in the sixteen starters wa9 Petroleuse, owned by the Hawera sportsman, Mr. J. R. Corrigan, and she figured in the official programme as being handicapped on 60yds behind. However, in the list of handicaps and acceptances published in the newspapers, the handicap of Petroleuse was given as 72yds behind, and it is now stated that this was the official adjustment made by the club's handicapper, Mr. R. T. Reid, in the official programme issued by the club, and Mr. Corrigan started his mare off 60yds behind, which was according to the book. Petroleuse was made favourite, and won by two lengths, but no one apparently noticed a mistake at the time, and the "all right" flag was hoisted, and the dividends paid on Petroleuse and Peterson, the latter being the second horse.

No doubt the incident will be fully inquired into, und it will be interesting to note the outcome, in view of Rule 271 of the of Trotting," which says: "The horses shall be started by the official starter or his authorised substitute, who shall be supplied by the secretary or his deput> not later than ten minutes prior to the official time of starting with a written or printed list of horses qualified to start, together with their actual handicaps, signed by the secretary or his deputy."'