Row over cup hope

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32422, 8 October 1970, Page 8

Row over cup hope

(N.Z. Press Association) MELBOURNE.! The Caulfield Cup favourite, New Zealand-bred Big Philou. has injured a leg and his trainer wants to scratch him from the race on Saturday week. But his part-owner has blocked the scratching. Big Philou’s trainer, J. B. Ciirikt] xnings announced this on Tuesday, after the gelding was'; examined by a veterinarian, thati Big Philou had a splint on hist near fore cannon bone. He re-* cently knocked* the leg and aj filling developed. . Cummings said: “The veterin- ] ary surgeon advised me that could not cure the leg while we.] are still training the horse. If < w e ease him up now we still have a good chance of running him in the Melbourne Cup.” ] Mr C. Gawith. a part-owner, of Big Philou. arrived at the ] V.A.T.C. office at the Racing Centre in St Kiida yesterday and ] left a letter with the secretary. Mr J. C. Reilly. The letter read: “This letter is ] to advise that no horse owned | by me is to be scratched with- j out mv consent.” R. McDonell. Melbourne fore- f man for Cummings, confirmed that Alrello. Big Philou and I King Pedro had left the stables in Flemington for Mr Gawith’s farm at Officer, near Melbourne.: McDohell said Mr Gawith had ’ come to the stables and spoken to Cummings by phone. ■ McDonell said Mr Gawith had led him to believe that the horses would spend a few days , on the farm to freshen up and ‘ then return to Flemington. * King Pedro and Alrello. as well as Big Philou. are owned in 3 partnership by Messrs C. and G. Gawith.