"MISPLACED ZEAL."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 281, 27 November 1931, Page 11

"MISPLACED ZEAL."

STAB US BOY'S ACTION. HORSE IN IRISH SWEEPSTAKE. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 26. Misplaced zeal on the part of a trainer's stable boy. combined with an appeal from an Australian holder of an Irish Sweep-stake-ticket on Rivalry has induced Mr. R. Clifford, owner of the mare named, to allow her 'to remain in the November Handicap, to bo run at Manchester on Saturday, though he considers her chance of a pla-ce remote. He had intended to scratch her. The stable boy, holding a different opinion, without authority wrote to holders of tickets on Rivalry in the sweepstake. suggesting that they should make Mr. Clifford an offer to allow the mare to run. The ticket-holders approached Mr. Clifford, who also received a cablegram from Australia offering him a sum of money if Rivalry ran, so eventually he agreed not to scratch her. "The effect of the Irish sweepstakes in unduly" increasing the fields for the' races on which they are based is perturbing racecourse officials. Sporting writers suggest that the Jockey Club should intervene. There are at least 43 runners in the November Handicap, ten being removed from the final acceptance. It is a record field for 'this race, although _it was eclipsed by the.66 in the Grand National of 1929. ~ There may be SO starters in-.that race next March, an oec:ision on which there will be another sweepstake. A number of horses would not ' have been included in the November Handicap but for the sweepstake. The result will] be unwieldiness and a preponderance of j the element of luck.

PHAR LAP AT TRENTHAM

WELLINGTON, Thursday. : Phar Lap put in an appearance on the Trentham track this morning. Nothing serious was sought from him and he simply jogged round on the lead a couple or times-