Confusion over jackpot

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32604, 12 May 1971, Page 8

Confusion over jackpot

(From Our Oun Reporter) WESTPORT. The Westport Jockey Club was last night seeking a ruling on the position where a favourite is substituted for a horse scratched in a jackpot race.

This followed some confusion over the result of the jackpot, worth $7703, on the second day of the club’s meeting on Monday. The jackpot was organised on a circuit of three meetings —those held by the Marlborough, Nelson, and Westport clubs. It was struck at Blenheim, restarted at Nelson. and was to terminate at Westport. The required five winners were not selected on Saturday but after the last race on Monday it was announced that Mrs Minnie Saunders, a miner’s wife living at Westport, had struck the jackpot Mrs Saunders had four winners on her entry. It was also announced that when it was discovered that Glaring Shame, her choice in the fourth race of the jackpot had been scratched, the favourite and eventual winner, Savoir Faire, was substituted by the club. That scratching occurred, however, early on Monday morning and now there is much argument over whether the club was justified in replacing Glaring Shame with the favourite. It is argued that the regulation only applies to a late scratching allowed because of exceptional circumstances. Glaring Shame was scratched long before the 1 jackpot closed.

It is understood that at least three investors hold tickets with four winners which could give them a share in the jackpot if the original result is reversed. The Westport president

(Mr B. L. Lovell) is seeking advice from the Marlborough club on the set of rules originally set down for the jackpot. The money has not been paid to Mrs Saunders.