PETER WILLONYX’S FORM

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27407, 21 July 1954, Page 4

PETER WILLONYX’S FORM

A.J.C. STEWARDS ACCEPT EXPLANATIONS (N.Z.P.A.—Reuter—Copyright) SYDNEY, July 20. The stewards of the Australian Jockey Club yesterday accepted the explanations of the trainer, M. McCarten, and the jockey, W. Cook, for Peter Willonyx’s improved form at Rosehill on Saturday. The stewards opened an inquiry after Peter Willonyx won Saturday's Welter Handicap, and adjourned it to hear evidence of betting transactions. The horse’s win led to one of the worst demonstrations on a metropolitan racecourse in recent years. Peter Willonyx finished seventh in a field of nine in the Welter Handicap at Canterbury the previous week. McCarten told the stewards that he was surprised at Peter Willonyx’s good form last Saturday, and both he and Cook said the horse had enjoyed a "freak run” from the five furlongs to the finish.

GENDARME TO RACE IN AUSTRALIA “The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, July 20. If present plans eventuate, the Takanini gelding, Gendarme, will leave for Sydney on September 9. He will be accompanied by his trainer, F. Smith. Smith is well satisfied with Gendarme’s handicaps in the big spring events—9-1 in the Epsom Handicap and the Metropolitan, 8-13 in the Caulfield Cup, and 9-2 in the Melbourne Cup. This morning Gendarme worked with his stablemates, Regal Prince and the Morcock-Broiden gelding. They began slowly, and ran half a mile in 57sec. Gendarme was ridden by his usual jockey, W. R. Hooton. The horse looked particularly well.