IRATE PUNTERS DEMONSTRATE

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28153, 17 December 1956, Page 5

IRATE PUNTERS DEMONSTRATE

Incidents At Rosehill And Moonee Valley “SHOCK” REVERSALS OF FORM (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 16. A false start that wasn’t, shock reversals of form, rough riding, and a double protest roused racegoers to jeers and catcalls at Rosehill (Sydney) and Moonee Valley (Melbourne) yesterday. Seconds after the start of the First Parramatta Stakes at the Sydney track, an official about half-a-furlong from the gates raised his white flag. The riders of three of the 21 starters thought this was the signal for “no race’’ and pulled their mounts up. The others continued racing, and the hot favourite. Royal Feast, won. A broadcaster announced it was certain to be declared “no race,” but the stewards let the result stand after conducting an inquiry into why one horse. Red Vain, had failed to leave the barrier. Red Vain, which had been fractious at the gate and held up the race for several minutes, was declared a non-starter. The flag official, A. Brooks, said he asked the starter, R. Yates, if he wanted the false start flag raised when he saw that Red Vain was not in her stall when the gates opened. He said Mr Yates answered: “Yes, if you can get them back.” The flag was raised, but too late for all but a few of the field. In addition to the three who pulled up, several riders checked their mounts then began chasing the leaders again when they saw the race was continuing. The stewards’ chairman, P. J. Barley, said an investigation would be conducted into the starting of the race and a report issued later. Racegoers who -had loudly demanded the event be declared “no race’’ exercised their lungs again after the following race, the Flying Handicap, in which the New Zealand-bred Aboukir (4-1) showed improvement to win by a neck. Aboukir was well beaten when an odds-on favourite at Randwick a fortnight before. The vicious demonstration continued even after police had mingled with the crowd in an attempt to subdue the boos. One Favourite Wins . In Melbourne, only one favourite won in eight Moonee Valley races. Three of the day’s victors were at 66-1, 20-1. and 'l5-1, the last two both being ridden by the Hungarian-born apprentice, Peter Bakos. One of the roughest-ridden races seen in the city for years occurred in the Second Benefit Handicap. Audio Miss passed the post first, and was promptly the subject of protests by the riders of the placed horses, Full Chime and Fiddler’s Green. After a 30-minute inquiry, the stewards upset the placings and made the result: Full Chime 1, Fiddler’s Green 2, Audio Miss 3. B. V. Hall, on Full Chime, protested against L. Campbell (Audio Miss) for interference. - M. Moore (Fiddler’s Green) charged both Hall and Campbell with interference after a hectic final furlong which saw one horse fall and others slither crazily on the wet track. Racegoers, who yelled “protest, protest’’ as the jockeys dismounted, cheered the protest siren and the result of the inquiry. Veteran jockey, Bill (Plugger) Scanlon, rode the 66-1 chance. King’s Call, into eighth place in the Benevolent Welter at Moonee Valley yesterday, the first mount in his Melbourne comeback after an absence of 24 years. Scanlon is 46 The New Zealand horse, Sir William, showed ability as a sprinter yesterday when finishing third to Louise Image in the six-furlong Relief Handicap at Moonee Valley. Sir William (5 to 1) came with a late run to get within half a length of the winner. The form boded well for Sir William’s chances in the important Christmas and New Year events.