JOCKEY SPURS FOOT OF RIVAL IN DESPERATE FINISH AT ROSEHILL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 193, 16 August 1941, Page 5 (Supplement)

JOCKEY SPURS FOOT OF RIVAL IN DESPERATE FINISH AT ROSEHILL

When E. McMenamin was trying to spur Many Wayi to victory in the last race at Rosehill last Saturday he was spurring W. Cook's foot on Galliard.

After the jockeys had weighed-in there was a stir in the enclosure when first-aid men were summoned to lift Cook off the scales and carry him to the jockeys' room for examination. There they stripped his boot off and attended his injuries.

THEY found that McMenamin's spur had penetrated Cook's boot and his foot was bacilv cut. Ho coinplained that it felt numbed when he got off the horse. Many spectators claimed that the spur mishap prevented Galliard from winning. Connette swept past both horses near the post and won well. Galliard (Cook) and Manv Wavs (McMenamin) were locked together over the last furlong, and it looked that if either had got free victory might have been possible. J. T. Cush. trainer of Galliard hastened to investigate his jockey's injuries. ! He said afterwards: "I could give; no opinion as to what happened Cook told me it was accidental, but thought he would have won the race! but for this interference. I "Cook thought his mount was going better than Manv Wavs and I would have gained a winning break before Connette came along'but fori this check to his speed." Cush added I could see that Cook was in 1 great pain after the race, because I his face was drawn, and sweat was streaming down although it was' such a cold day," Cush added "Obviously it must have affected l his riding of my colt, Galliard." he I concluded. ] Cook said last night that Galliard and Many \\ ays became clamped ; together when Galliard hung out I slightly just inside the last furlong : "\\ e got so close together." he '■ added, "that McMenamin got his right foot over my left foot. Shares Dug Through Boot "The result was that when he attempted to spur his mare he was actually spurring mv foot.

"He was prodding awav vicorouslv I and I was getting" the lot right on I top of my instep. i "He had sharps on. and I aocld feel them digging through mv leather boot and into the flesh on top of my instep. I "This is a very tender part, and ! T felt intense pain as the sharps dug into me. I "Still. I was trving to do mv best i on Galliard. ! "When I saw Connette go past I knew neither of us had a chance. ''Naturally I think that Galliard might have done a lot better, but I jam convinced that it was just an 1 accident that McMenamin got his , foot circled round mine." I Cook made no complaint to the stewards, but they investigated the incident and their report stated: "Approaching the one furlong, Galliard trails) and Manv Wavs came j together. | "This was brought about through. Galliard hanging out. ! "Cook, rider of Galliard. suffered I an injury to his right instep due to I being struck by McMenamin's spur. j "The happening was accidental." I J. T. Cush. trainer of Galliard, made no complaint concerning- the 1 incident. Last Easter there was an allegai tion that Cush's candidate. All I Love, in the £3500 Sires' Produce Stakes was impeded bv Yaralla, ridden by McMenamin. Yaralla defeated All Love bv half a head. Cush was fined on April 21, following his accusation that McMenamin used unfair tactics.