DETECTIVES PROBE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 170, 21 July 1941, Page 4

DETECTIVES PROBE

Sensational Doping of National Favourite

HORSE "MADDENED BY DRUG"

Melbourne detectives are on the trail of the gang responsible for the sensational doping of the fiot favourite Cheery Jack before the running of tfee Grand National Steeplechase at Klemington on July 13, states the "Sydney Sun." Maddened by the drug and almost blind, Cheery Jack had to be withdrawn as he would probably have crashed through the first obstacle, involving 'his rider, L. Meenan, and probably others in the field, in a serious smash. It is generally agreed t'hat Cheery Jack must have been nobbled when he was left unattended for about 20 minutes before being taken to the course. When they tried to shoe him Cheery Jack would not 6tand still and he had to be taken out of the 6tall and. around the back of the birdcage Vo see if he would quieten down. Cheery Jack continued to rear and buck madly, and finally he had to be taken to an unoccupied part of the course to be shoed. His eyes were blue and dull, his tongue dry and he was trembling violsntly. After an inspection by the veterinary surgeon and one of the stipendiary stewards. Dr. Heelop, it was decided that the horse was not in a lit condition to race. The surgeon reported him in a 'bad way. Bets Declared Off. Everybody is now trying to fatiiom the motive for the doping of Cheery Jack, one of the most popular hurdlers Australia has known. Methuen's 50 to 1 success in the Grand National liurdle Race left bookmakers with practically no double liabilities, and a leader of the ring said that this was one doping case which could hardly be laid at the door of bookmakers as there was little betting during tiie week preceding the race. The stewards announced that all beta on Cheery Jack made on the course were t'o be returned, and that all be:e made on the winner ami placed horses rrior to the time of Cheery Jack's withdrawal were to be paid at tote odds. Miscarriage of Plans? The gangsters who doped Cheery Jack only partly succeeded in their diabolical plot. They gave him too strong a dose of the drug, and tfiie effects of it began to reveal themselves much too soon for their purpose. Indications supported the belief that Cheery JacU was Intended to run in the big cross-country event —and t"o -un badly. An expert said that the strain on Cheery Jack's heart, if he had raced, would have been so groat that he would have dropped dead ere the judge was reached. Cheery Jack has been one of the turf's greatest jumpers, and his wins include: Maiden Handicap, Ro6ehill, August C, 1935; Trial ilurdles, Warwick Farm, December 7, 1038; Hurdles, I\ and wick, December 24, 1038; A.J.C. Hurdles, June 10, 1939; Oby Hurdles, Caulfieid, October IS, 1030; November Hurdles, November 7, 1030; Tanibo Puiwe, Mentone, June 12, 1940; Grand National Hurdles, Flemington, July 0, 1940; Doutta Galla Hurdles, Flemington, July 13, 1910; Hurdles, Randwick, June 14, 1941 (with 12.3); Kensington Steeples, Flemington, July 5, 1911 (with 12.7). R. C. Stanton, trainer of Cheery Jack, considered that nis horse's moat dangerous opponent would have been National Dobt, and the running proved him correct. Only fifth favourite at double figures before Cheery Jack's withdrawal, weight of money forced him to favourite at less than 3 to 1. Owned and trained in Adelaide, lie was bought for 80 guineas about five years ago. but three years ago a bad fall almost finished his career. "" A recent cable stated that a chemical analysis of a swab taken from Cheery Jack revealed the fact that the horse had been given an alkaloid ia strong concentration.