Appeals upheld in Funny Way hearing

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32588, 23 April 1971, Page 8 (Supplement)

Appeals upheld in Funny Way hearing

Two appeals against decisions of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s judicial committee were upheld by the Canterbury district committee of the Racing Conference yesterday. The first appeal, lodged by the owners of Funny Way, L. D. S. Barr and Mrs P. Barr, was against the judicial committee’s decision to relegate the horse from first to second after the Waltham Handicap at Riccarton last Saturday. The second appeal, lodged by L. D. S. Barr, was against the judicial committee’s decision to suspend Funny Way’s rider, the stable apprentice, G. R. Lee, until 5 pjn. on April 24. In a statement reeased after the hearing the district committee said that it had the advantage of viewing film of the start which was made available by the N.Z.B.C. and Mr R. Kennard. This film was not available to the judicial

committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club on race day. The district committee came to the unanimous decision that this film showed quite clearly that Funny Way had jumped much more quickly than Igloo; that G. R. Lee kept his mount under good control and that there was no interference.

The district committee accordingly allowed the appeals, stating that the judge’s placings of Funny Way first and Igloo second should stand. For the same reasons the appeal of G. R. Lee was also .allowed.

At the hearing of the appeals the Barrs were represented by Mr B. McClelland and A. E. Didham, the ownertrainer of Igloo, by Mr B. D. Kinley.

The district committee also heard the evidence of the assistant stipendiary steward, Mr R. Wilson; the rider of Igloo, E. J. Didham and Lee.