QUEENSLANDER OUT FOR LIFE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 262, 4 November 1944, Page 4 (Supplement)

QUEENSLANDER OUT FOR LIFE

T ESLIE GORDON SCANT/AN, a *-* wealthy Queensland pastoralist, has been disqualified for life after investigations which were commenced in October last year following the success of a horse named Lucky Hit at BlackalL

The disqualification has been endorsed by the Central Queensland Racing Association.

The stewards found that Lucky Hit is identical with Before Dark, which, ridden by A. Knox, won the Trial Handicap at Ascot (Sydney) on May 30, 1942, by three lengths from Kuttabul and Canvasser, running the seven furlongs in 1.28 J. Before Dark started 14 times in Sydney, the last time on March 20, 1943.

Transferred to Queensland as a Btallion, he was a gelding when he won at Blackall by six lengths in 1.0 2-s—faster than the time of the winner of the principal race. He was backed from 6 to 1 to even money.

Two persons associated with the horse cannot be traced. One is Edward Somers, the alleged owner in whose name Scanlan admitted having nominated the horse without the former's consent. A radio message was also sent in Somers' name, authorising the payment of the prize money to the Red Cross. The stewards traced the source of the message to a south-western static but believe thtve isn't such a per