INQUIRIES AT WAIMATE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28329, 15 July 1957, Page 4

INQUIRIES AT WAIMATE

After the running of the Waimate Hunt Cup at the Waimate Hunt Club's meeting on Saturday, Mr W. J. Hickey, who rode his own horse, Lord Chat, was charged under rule 291 (1) (b) for continuing in the race after his horse had run off at the first fence.

After hearing the evidence Hickey’s licecne was suspended until the end of the season, w.ith the recommendation that before he is issued with another licence, his qualifications, ability to ride, and knowledge of racing be more closely examined. In the Studholme Hack Hurdles, Baffling Eyes (R. O. Cairns) was checked at the three and a half furlongs by the riderless horse, The Plainsman, as he was about to start his run. Cairns was forced to check his mount as a result of the incident and was forced to go wide. C. G. Low, the rider of Danger Point in the same event, was cautioned for being over-confident at the finish. An inquiry was held at the conclusion of the Redcliff Hack and Hunters’ Flat Handicap into Friendly Lad (R. -J. Blair) catching the barrier strands in his bit and retaining them throughout the race. The starter gave evidence that the barrier had been tested and his equipment was examined and no fault could be found with it. It was found that a horse drawn on the Inner had caught the barrier and this had held it up causing the outside horses, of which Friendly Lad was one, to become entangled in it. No blame was attachable to the starter or his assistants. After the running of the Morven Handicap, P. J. Kempton, rider of Beau Revere, and L. H. Pratt, the trainer, were questioned before the chairman of the judicial committee. Beau Revere covered extra ground from the six and a half furlongs to approximately the three and a half furlongs. The explanation—that the horse hung badly—was accepted in view of similar (tendencies having been shown before. Pratt was advised that in future. If his apprentice, Kempton, found difficulty in stopping the horse from hanging, as he had on this occasion, he would be advised to obtain the services of a stronger horseman.