Change Of Driver Not Allowed For Top Mare

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31215, 12 November 1966, Page 7

Change Of Driver Not Allowed For Top Mare

The owner of the champion pacing mare Robin Dundee, Mr J. W. Hewitt, of Mataura Island, scratched her from the New Zealand Free-for-All at Addington Raceway yesterday after the stipendiary steward (Mr L. A. Butterfield) had successfully objected to a proposed change of driver.

Stories about the replacement of M. Holmes by the Auckland trainer-driver. P. T. Wolfenden, as Robin Dundee’s driver were widespread long before the first race was run at midday.

The stipendiary stewards took evidence early in the day about the proposed change of driver from Mr Hewitt and Robin Dundee’s trainer, J. Walsh, of Gore. The official release said: “Prior to the running of the New Zealand Free-for-all, an objection was lodged by the chief stipendiary steward to a change of driver for Robin Dundee. Mr Hewitt, the owner of the horse, gave evidence that she had tangled in her last four starts and for each occasion he blamed the driver, M. Holmes. For that reason he desired a change of driver in the best interests of trotting.

“M. Holmes also gave evidence. “After considering the matter fully the stewards were of the opinion that the change of driver was not justified as M. Holmes could not be held responsible for the incidents stated by Mr Hewitt “The objection was therefore dismissed.” Mr Hewitt said that he had engaged Wolfenden to drive Robin Dundee in place of Holmes, whose luck with the mare, he felt, had “run out.” “Robin Dundee has tangled several times in her latest races when driven by Holmes

and I felt that it was my prerogative to secure another driver,” said Mr Hewitt. “The stipendiary stewards objected to my application for a change and as a consequence I immediately went in and scratched her. “I did this because of a principle and if I am not permitted to have a change of drivers at the remaining days of the meeting I will not start her.” Mr Hewitt said that he felt sorry for the club. Because of her late scratching £3lOO in T.A.B. investments had to be refunded. He also felt sorry for the mare’s trainer, said Mr Hewitt. “But at the same time it has been a costly decision to make as far as I am concerned. “Unless I am permitted a change of driver, Robin Dundee will not race again at the meeting—and not in New Zealand again,” said Mr Hewitt. “I feel the decision was a most severe one.” Robin Dundee will return to Southland. She will be taken to Australia by Walsh on the first available transport She is unlikely to do much racing on the way to Perth, where she will be quartered at D. J. Egan’s stables.

A driver has not been engaged for her at the interDominion Championship ■series to be run in February, i“but you can say it will be ;an Australian,” said Mr , Hewitt. ' Wolfenden had been engaged to drive Robin Dundee in the free-for-all yesterdas

and in the Allan Matson Stakes on Tuesday. R. M. Cameron had been engaged for her in the Ollivier Handicap next Saturday night.

As well as the refund to off-course bettors, Robin Dundee’s absence cramped betting on-course on the free-for-all. Investments on the race oncourse amounted to £11,172, compared with £26,252 last year.

Holmes drove Robin Dundee throughout her racing in New Zealand last season, when she gained eight wins and £14,855 in stakes. He also drove her at the interDominion Championship series in Sydney, where she finished second in the Grand Final. He drove her in all of her races this spring leading up to her second behind Lordship in the New Zealand Cup last Tuesday.

“The decision to scratch Robin Dundee was entirely in the hands of the mare’s owner, Mr Hewitt, and had nothing to do with the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club,” said the president of the club, Mr R. W. Saunders. He said some members of the public had blamed the club for what had occurred.