WINGATUI STAFF PRAISED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29232, 16 June 1960, Page 4

WINGATUI STAFF PRAISED

Prompt Action In Unusual Accident “The Press' Special Service DUNEDIN, June 15. The racecourse staff and the attending veterinary surgeon, Mr G. A Thomson, came in for a good deal of praise at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting at Wingatui on Saturday for the manner in which they quickly ended the suffering of Babette, which broke her back during the running of the Electric Stakes.

The Tauloch—Nikau Lass four-year-old mare was having her first race. She stumbled just past the post and broke her back. It took only four minutes from the time of the unusual accident to obtain the permission of her trainer. E. M. Jopson, erect a screen, and destroy the mare. Babette was raced by her breeder, Mr R. D. Vance.

Naughty Boy, the other casualty at the meeting, was found to have died of heart trouble. He failed to rise at the board fence near the half-mile and skidded into the fence. His rider, G. E. Pankhurst, escaped with a shaking. Naughty Boy was a nine-year-old gelding by Treasure Hunt. He was trained at Invercargill by D. V. and R. F. Pankhurst for his breeder, Mr H. Lang. He recorded a win at the Dunedin winter meeting 12 months ago when he caused an upset In the Greenfield Hurdles and paid £79 6s for £l.