Tadpole Ineligible For Riverton Wins

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28866, 10 April 1959, Page 4

Tadpole Ineligible For Riverton Wins

■‘The Press’- Snectai Service

INVERCARGILL, April 9. Southland’s star galloper, Tadpole, which won eight successive starts and nine of his last 10 appearances, is in the news a?ain. On this occasion, however, some of the glory is likely to be taken from his grand winning record.

When Tadpole was nominated for the Riverton meeting he was not eligible for the hack events for which he was entered. In winning hack flat races at Cromwell and Riverton last season tfnd at Beaumont and Wyndham this term, he has earned £750 and a £2O trophy, attached to his Cromwell win. In assessing a horse’s winnings to qualify him for hack status trophies are included. bringing Tadpole’s hack score to £770.

] When Tadpole contested his i division of the Longwood Handicap. at Riverton, which he won with 9-3 and the Thornbury I Handicap, which he won under 9-11, and the Southern champion I Hack Handicap, in which he , finished fourth, he was ineligi- ] ble.

Tadpole’s two winning appearances at Riverton were worth £4BO, but because of his ineligibility he will automatically lose both stakes. The Era, King Cassock and Vamoose, which filled the placings behind Tadpole in the division of the Longwood Handicap, will be promoted to first, second and third respec-. tively. Panel, Barana and Caravel, which filled minor placings in the Thornbury Handicap will all go up one. Automatic Charge

The wrongful entry of a horse in hack events,, or for any race, brings with it an automatic charge of a breach of the rules of racing. Three charges, one for each day’s entry at Riverton, will probably be made. The minimum fine is £25 on each charge. Mr W. E. Hazlett, who owns and trains Tadpole, said today that there was nothing he could do’ about it. He had inquired into Tadpole’s eligibility for hack flat races and also for hurdle races before the meeting.

and was given to understand that he had won £750 on the flat, which made him eligible lot hack races. “Apparently the £2O trophy he won at Cromwell was not taken into account, and this vvould put him out of hacks." he said. Club Investigation Mr J. B. Banks, secretary ol the Riverton Club, said yesterday that his club was investigating Tadpoles status when he contested the hack races at Riverton. On the figures he had taken out Tadpole was apparently ineligible but before any action was taken these figures would be confirmed. “Any charges that may be laid will be heard by the committee of the Riverton club, which has the power to deal with these matters.” Mr Banks said. Tadpole, who has won his way out ot hack company both on the flat and as a hurdler, is likely to soon be seen out as a steeplechaser. “It has always been my aim to get a good steeplechaser and it is in this department that Tadpole will do his future racing if I stick to my present ideas,’’ Mr Hazlett said today. Tadpole, which is unbeaten as a hurdler in his five starts, may race over the brush steeplechase course at the Southland meeting next month.

Last winter he had some experience over country behind the Birchwood hounds.