UNEXPECTED BEER

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30839, 26 August 1965, Page 5

UNEXPECTED BEER

Angry Punter

Soaks Driver

The failure of the hot favourite Gemm’s Pride in the Open Class Handilcap at Harold Park last Friday night provoked a demonstration

from punters. But one irate punter’s wrath was directed at the driver of the winner, Little Maori, instead of the driver of the offending favourite. As Little Maori’s driver, L. Moulds, pulled his horse to the outside fence after the finish, a punter in the Leger enclosure hurled a glass of beer over him. Moulds returned to the enclosure dripping beer from his cap and racing colours. The trouble started when Gemm’s ' Pride, a 7/4 on favourite, failed to complete the course. He broke at the start then nearly fell when involved in a severe scrimmage as the field passed the winning post on the last lap.

Gemm’s Pride went down on his nose and his driver, W. Picken, was thrown from the sulky but bumped against the horse and was lucky enough to end up back in the sulky again. After the race Gemm’s Pride, which is raced in partnership by Mr L Langford, of Oxford, and the Sydney trainer, W. Picken, received veterinary attention for lacerations to his mouth. Little Maori was not Involved in the scrimmage which ruined Gemm’s Pride’s chance.