Charge Not Upheld

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31863, 16 December 1968, Page 4

Charge Not Upheld

A charge against M. J. Skelton, rider of Shipmaster in the Hororata Cup on Saturday of interference to Red Siren (J. R. Dowling) about six furlongs and a half from home, lyas dismissed by the Horarata Racing Club*( judicial committee. After hearing evidence from the stipendiary steward, the .assistant stipendiary steward who was stationed at the five furlongs, Dowling, A. D. Hunt, the rider of Sand Bank, and a statement from Skelton, the committee decided to dismiss the charge because of conflicting evidence. With three furlongs to run in the Hororata Cup, Jay Ribbon (E. J. Didham) lost ground when racing behind Sandbank <G. R. Heaton). It was found that at this point Senator Jack (W. H. Beck), which was racing ahead of Sandbank, hung out and Heaton had to ease his mount off senator Jack’s heels. This in turn caused Jay Ribbon's rider to check his mount. After questioning the assistant stipendiary steward who was on duty at the turn for home the committee found that the incident was unavoidable. No further action was taken. On his return to the birdcage alter the Trial Stakes No. 2, Tinny was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon and was found to be severely lame behind. The veterinary surgeon considered that Tinny had injured a muscle in his hind quarters during the race.