Claim Over Trotter In Supreme Court

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31784, 14 September 1968, Page 7

Claim Over Trotter In Supreme Court

(N.Z. Press Association) DUNEDIN. An unemployed fitter, James Joseph Reid said in the Supreme Court yesterday that t* ’•e went near a Smailis Beach farm to claim his horse, the owner of the farm would "bury an axe” in him. Reid was giving evidence in the second day of an action between Blennard Samson, a Smailis Beach farmer, the plaintiff, and himself. The hearing is before Mr Justice Henry. The action was about a dis£ute over the trotter. Prince ada. Samson has asked for specific performance of an alleged agreement for a half-ownership of Prince Rada and 15000 damages for loss of stake money, or alternatively sas« damages. The horse baa not raced for two years after Reid’s two-year disqualification by the Trotting Conference. Reid in his turn is asking tor s3so—a half-share in stake money won by the horse. He is represented by Mr P. M. O’Reilly. and Mr D. L. Wood appears for Samson. Reid said he bred Prince Rada from a mare he owned. It was his aim to become a successful breeder. A number of trainers handled the horse before it was taken

over by Samson. The horse was in excellent condition, but when it developed soreness in its shoulder the trainer at that time suggested it should be turned out to grass. He tried several people before Samson agreed to take the horse. There was no argument to train the horse —it was going to the farm to recuperate. Three or four days later, he heard Samson was working the horse at speed. He went to the farm and had a "decent sort of argument” with Samson. It was agreed to work the horse only lightly until the lameness was gone. Later, Samson asked for a share of the horse. Reid said he would give him a lease and half the winnings. The lease could have been as long as Samson wished. But the horse was not for sale. Reid was not prepared to give Samson sole power of nomination. Samson refused to sign any forms—he ripped three up. and on another occasion crumpled a form up and threw it at Reid. • (Proceeding)