HORSE DOPING IN SYDNEY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27011, 10 April 1953, Page 9

HORSE DOPING IN SYDNEY

POLICE ASSISTANCE SOUGHT (Rec. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, April P. The trainer, T. J. Smith, today sought police assistance in an endeavour to find out who doped the racehorse Tarien. The announcement at Randwick yesterday that swabs taken from Tarien (the Doncaster Handicap winner) and Cromis (the Sires’ Produce Stakes winner) were positive, caused the biggest sensation in Australian turf history. An inquiry concerning the swab taken from Cromis was held at the Australian Jockey Club office today, and was adjourned - to a date to be fixed. The trainer of Cromis, R. C. Sinclair, said today that it was very doubtful if he would ever bring a horse to race in Sydney again. Smith, who has the biggest string of horses in Australia, said extraordinary precautions were taken with Tairen for at least eight days before the running of the Doncaster Handicap. Tarien was not left alone for a minute of the eight-day period. “This has me beaten,” he added. The swabs taken at Randwfcfc showed that both horses were given a stimulating drug before their races, says John Schofield, turf editor of the "Sydney Morning Herald.” It is believed that coramine was used, he says. The drug stimulates heart action, and is administered either through the mouth or by injection. Tarien and Cromis are automatically disqualified, but betting is not affected. First prize in the Doncaster was £5078. It will now go to Mrs W. Kelly and Miss E. Kelly and Messrs R. A. and K. C. Kelly, who race the second horse. Triclinium, in partnership. First prize in the Sires’ Produce Stakes was £5900. This will now go to Mr R. Carter, owner of the second horse. Royal Stream. Since regular swabbing of winners began in Sydney four years ago, there have been 16 cases of stimulation proved by the analyst arid stipendiary stewards. This is the first time, however, that the winner of a major race has been found to have been doped.

Clash in Malaya.—Six Malay special constables were ambushed and killed by a party of about 20 terrorists in the Sungei Siput area of Perak today. It was one of the worst ambushes in the last nine months. Two other special constables in the police party escaped.—Singapore, April 8.