RACE RE-RUN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 252, 24 October 1944, Page 2

RACE RE-RUN

IRATE INVESTORS

SENSATION AT RANGIORA

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day The North Canterbury Racine Club's programme at Rangiora yes terday provided one of the most sensational incidents recorded ii" racing in New Zealand. The Will Memorial Handicap advertised and carded as seven fur longs and a half, was won by Lore Advocate by a length from All Night with Rex Maitland half a length away clear of Sally Lux, with Trencli Law last. When the time, 1.26 1-5, was posted it was realised that some mistake had been made and it was then revealed that the race had been started at the seven-furlong barrier instead of at the seven furlongs and a half. The stewards had a hurried meeting and as the rules laid down that any race started from a wrong barrier had to be declared null and void and must be re-run later in the programme, it was decided to declare the race void and to re-run it after the concluding event. When this decision was made known Mr. G. M. Hall, owner of Lord Advocate, told the committee that he would not start his horse again, and trainer H. Nurse supported his principal in this decision. The question regarding the position in which investors were placed then caused the committee much anxiety, but the totalisator inspector, Mr. A. A. Besley, explained that the rules relating to such an incident definitely provided that when a race had to be re-run the totalisator did not reopen, but the pool remained as for the first event and.no refunds could be made. This provision covered the case of Lord Advocate, the investments on which were thus impounded and the supporters had no claim for a refund, or, in other words, supported a horse that did not start and lost their money without a run. In the re-run race it was decided to pay two place dividends although there were only four starters. Rex Maitland led into the straight from Sally Lux, All Night and Trench Law in that order, and with half a furlong to go Rex Maitland appeared to have the race in hand, especially as All Night had been disappointed in an effort to push through on the inside of him commencing the last furlong. Rex Maitland, however, later worked out a little from the rails, and All Night, with a brilliant response to his rider's vigorous riding, squeezed through right on the post to gain a head victory. Trench Law was three lengths back, five lengths in front of Sally Lux. Immediately after the race a fairly large crowd of disappointed supporters of Lord Advocate invaded the secretary's office with requests for a refund of their money.