Reprimanded

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31163, 13 September 1966, Page 4

Reprimanded

A. Telfer was severely reprimanded by the judicial committee of the Ashburton County Racing Club yesterday for allowing his mount, Royal Blue, to shift ground about a furlong and a half from the finish of the John Grigg Stakes. Telfer was charged with causing interference to Gay Doctor IR. J. Skelton), which in turn forced Baloney (A. J. Stokes) to go wider when he had to change his ground. Before making its decision the committee heard evidence from the assistant steward, situated at the turn for home, and the riders concerned. Autobank, the winner of the Wakanui Maiden Stakes, got down in his stall before the start and finally burst through the gates without his rider and cantered around to the straight before being caught. The starter reported that when Autobank was attempting to stand in his stall he released the front gates and broke away from his rider. Over the final half-furlong of the Methven Improvers’ Handicap Gunga Din (W. D. Skelton) began to lug in badly on to Sir Limond <E. G. Low). Because of this Skelton was unable to ride the horse out. Not Guilty, which was on the inside of Sir Limond but threequarters of a length back, had to be eased momentarily but her rider, R. K. Moir, said his chance was not affected as his mount had come to the end of her run. No action was taken.