No action against N.Z.. rider

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32637, 19 June 1971, Page 8

No action against N.Z.. rider

(N.Z. Press Association) MELBOURNE. Victoria Racing Club stewards yesterday gave the New Zealand jumping Jockey, R. Cairns, and trainer, R. Heasley. the benefit of the doiibt when they concluded their inquiry into Cairns’s riding of the New Zealand jumper, Foxonewa. in the middle stages of tlie Glamls Steeple at Flemington last Monday. After taking evidence from Cairns and Heasley at the resumed inquiry yesterday, the stewards reported they had given the New Zealand pair the benefit of the doubt.

This was because Cairns may have lacked knowledge of the Flemington course and the man-

ner In which jumping races were ridden in Victoria, they said Cairns was instructed that in future events he must try to give his mounts every possible chance by riding with more initiative and vigour. Heasley was told he must ensure by Instructions that his horses are ridden In accordance with the rules. Cairns told the stewards at the Inquiry that Foxonewa began well, showed more pace than he anticipated In the early stages and Jumped exceptionally well He said that after turning out of the straight and commencing the run down the river side the pace quickened. Foxonewa got In a little closer to his Jumps and for this reason lost a bit of ground. Cairns said he was forced to race wide round one turn near the seven furlongs and that the gelding jumped poorly at the last of a treble. He also made the turn at the five furlongs awkwardly.

Cairns said that whereas It appeared that Foxonewa finished brilliantly, in bls opinion the leaders were stopping badly apJ -reaching the winning post. The ockey added he believed the going was heavier in the straight on the course proper than at any portion of the steeplechase track and that Foxonewa revelled in the heavier ground.

Heasley told the stewards that he had Instructed Cairns to allow Foxonewa to get a good sight of his fences and expressed satisfaction with the manner of Cairns’s riding. He stated that had the gelding been ridden along In the middle stages of the race he may not have finished with such determination.