TRENTHAM INQUIRIES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29567, 17 July 1961, Page 4

TRENTHAM INQUIRIES

(HZ Press Association; WELLINGTON, July 16. The payment of dividends was delayed for some time after the running of the Onslow Handicap, the second leg of the double at Trentham on Saturday, while the judicial committee considered a charge against J. S. Humphries, rider of the winner Firenze, of causing inference to Switzerland, which finished third, outside the last furlong. After hearing the evidence, which included a statement by A. E. Skinner, rider of Switzerland, that his chance was not affected, and after viewing two films of the race, the committee dismissed the charge, but impressed on Humphries the danger of moving ground as he had done. After the running of the Novice Handicap, R. W. Taylor, rider of the winner Blue Packet, was brought before the judicial committee concerning the manner in which his mount had moved its ground in the straight. Taylor was shown a film of the last two furlongs of the race and was warned of the consequences had he interfered with any other runner. R. B. Shield, rider of the winner Strydom, in the Eric Riddiford Steeplechase, was cautioned for having shifted ground after jumping the last fence. W. H. Short, rider of Valuation, which finished second, confirmed that his mount did not suffer interference. Consequently no action was taken. The committee reported that the saddle 'had broken on Port Wine half a mile from the finish of the Winter Oats Handicap and the rider, S. B. Robertson, had lost his irons. Port Wine finished second. C. A. Bowry, rider of Yorker in the Onslow Handicap, broke a leather and lost an iron. B. J. Langford, rider of Diavolo, which finished fifth in the Talavera Hurdles, was brought before the judicial committee concerning his riding of the horse over the last 75 yards. Langford said that Diavolo had come to the end of his run and that the horse had not responded to the stick. The explanation was accepted. J. R. Potter, rider of Centron in the same race, told the committee that his mount had not handled the ground well.