£25 FINES ON TRAINERS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28210, 23 February 1957, Page 7

£25 FINES ON TRAINERS

Wrongful Entry In Races (New Zealana Press Association) INVERCARGILL, Feb. 22. The Wingatui trainers, J. W. Pankhurst and D. J. McDonald, whose explanations of wrongful entry of the horses. Post Card and Count Aven, had been accepted by the judicial committee of the Winton Jockey Club at its meeting last month, had these charges reviewed by the Southland District Committee. Whereas the Winton club took no action, the Southland district committee found that the rule under which the trainers were charged was mandatory, and that a fine of £25 had to be imposed in each case. Pankhurst had entered and accepted for Post Card in the Limehills Handicap (for horses which had won more than £3OO in winning stakes). Post Card was eligible for this event, and at the Winton inquiry Pankhurst said that the entry had been made in error, and that he meant Post Card to be in the Centre Bush Handicap (for horses which had not won £3OO in stakes). McDonald entered and accepted Count Aven in the Centre Bush Handicap. for which Count Aven was not eligible, as he had won three races worth £7OO in stakes. McDonald’s explanation was that he was running late, did not have a programme, and entered Count Aven and Royal Pal in the two different races. They should have been entered vice versa. His explanation was accepted. In reviewing the cases, the district committee had the report of the Winton meeting before it. Under rule 247, the rule under which the charges were made, a fine was mandatory, and consequently both McDonald and Pankhurst were fined £25.