Mix-up in Forbury race

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32734, 11 October 1971, Page 1

Mix-up in Forbury race

A smash involving six of the eight runners in the Burnside Pace, and several incidents after the mix-up, had officials busy and patrons confused at Forbury Park on Saturday evening.

The smash occurred after two furlongs when Faerie Mab, which was pacing roughly, broke and fell. Driven by R. P. Nyhan, she was in third position at the time and in a flash the five horses behind her either fell or dislodged their drivers. This left Donna Charles and Colonel Adios the only horses with any chance of winning. While officials untangled fallen horses and attempted to catch two without

their drivers, Donna Charles led Colonel Adios at a leisurely pace to the three furlongs. They then sprinted home, Colonel Adios winning by a short length. In the meantime, the driverless Daisy Charles was caught a furlong and a half after the smash by the Winton horseman, A. W. Cox, who drove her to complete the remaining nine furlongs and a half. She finished about a furlong and a half from Donna Charles.

Further back Just Hope was caught by R. D. Butt and Moascar by L. H. Broom. They were a good two furlongs from the two to escape the crash and provided the crowd with extra entertainment as they fought out third position, Moascar taking the $2OO stake by two lengths.

The judge, Mr M. Faul, of Invercargill, announced his placings, but did not hoist the number of Daisy Charles. His failure to do this caused confusion among the public and later an official inquiry was held. Mr Faul was informed that under similar circumstances he must place all horses that pass the winning post. The report of the inquiry says that if Daisy Charles had been placed, an objection would have been lodged by the stipendiary stewards on the grounds that the horse had not completed the course and was driven by a horseman who was not weighed out by the clerk of scales. Daisy Charles raced driverless for a furlong and a half and could only have qualified for a placing had she been

f returned to the scene of the ; smash before setting out : after the leaders. The Rules of Trotting difI fer from those governing : racing concerning substitute ' drivers or jockeys. In galloping, a horse losing its rider : can be remounted to comi plete the course so long as : certain provisions are ob- : served. No such provision is ; made in trotting and possibly I there has been no incident i similar to that at Forbury ' Park. i Trotting rules are at pre- : sent being redrafted and a : new rule might be introduced to cover an eventuality such 1 as that at' Forbury Park. No horses or drivers suffered serious injury in the ' smash, although several lost I patches of skin and were i bruised. ’ 1