PACERS DOPED?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 66, 19 March 1942, Page 8

PACERS DOPED?

TRAINER'S BELIEF

MAY NOT RACE AGAIN

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The pacers Great Blaze and Jackaranda were interfered with prior to racing at New Brighton Trotting Club's meeting, and evidence points to the fact that they were dosed with some strong caustic solution. They may never race again. Both horses are trained by M. B. Edwards, who said to-day that it was impossible for the horses to have picked up anything from the ground to have caused such painful and extensive injuries, and he maintains that the horses were tha victims of a "dope fiend." While at the New Brighton course, with the exception of a short' period before the Waimairi Handicap, the race in which both horses started, they were in charge of an attendant and a report in circulation is that during this time a man was seen leaving the horse stalls. Further inquiries# are being made by the trotting authorities. The horses suffered terrible pain for several days after. Their mouths and lips were swollen, and even enamel was stripped from their teeth. Both pacers were unable to eat anything for some time, and lost a lot of condition. While they are showing slight improvement, the full extent of their injuries will not be known for some time. If they were given a caustic solution, it is probable that they will not race again.