M. Campbell considers fine to be unjust

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34026, 15 December 1975, Page 8

M. Campbell considers fine to be unjust

(“The Press'* Spei i-il Serrice)

AUCKLAND. A $5O tine for alleged excessive use of the whip dampened M. R. Campbell's delight at winning the Avondale Guineas on Balmerino on Saturday, astonded the colt’s trainer. B. .1. Smith, and quite clearly annoved the owner, Mr R. K. Stuart. The amount of the fine, im-j posed by the judicial committee of the Avondale Jockey Club in upholding ai charge by the stipendiary steward. Mr J. A Poulsen, is the maximum allowed under the Rules of Racing. Campbell, who comes from Palmerston North, said before leaving the course that he considered the penalty unjust He had asked his legal counsel to look at a film of the race and cxnected an appeal to be lodged this morning behalf.

The film will show. Campbell giving Balmerino a couple of taps down the I shoulder as a reminder when i they come into the last 200 m. then, as the finish becomes ’ pretty desperate, three or four hard ones behind the ! saddle. Balmerino responded I to master Nuriootpa and . Imperial Chief and was left alone over the last bit Campbell was fined $4O by the judicial committee of the ’ Auckland Racing Club last October for using the whip excessively when he won on Show’s Dream and he said then that he was doing no more than riding to instruc-! | tions. He agreed yesterday that;, his ride on Balmerino was not one of his best but only'; through his getting into such a position some £oom from home that he had to make 1 his run wide and earlier than he planned. “But there ' was plenty of trouble going." i he said, "and it was the 1 onlv way I could get clear 1 .of it.” » , li

Campbel] agreed that he rode Balmerino hard but said that the colt was a hot favourite the carried, in fact, about $22,1)00 in win bets and probably many times more on the treble) and that the finish had been very close. A question he asked was of the consequences had he ridden Balmerino Ic«k \ igoroush and lost. VET'S REPORT in Campbell's favour, too. is a report of a veterinary surgeon employed by the Avondale club. Mr .1 K. Johnston. An official also at Ellerslie, Mr Johnston reported that he inspected Balmerino following Saturday’s race and found evidence of whip ma.ks but that they were “in no wav excessive." With the runing of the race a fair way against him. and pressed by two other very good colts. Balmerino again showed real gameness. He has been< beaten only twice in his eight: starts as a three-year-old, in the first one. a sprint at Te Rapa, and in the Great Northern Guineas, and • * already a hot favourite for the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on Boxing Dav An ordinary-looking bay. by Middlepark’s French-bred Trie-! trac from Dulcie. Balmerino was allowed to miss the Waikato Guineas so he has yet to race further than 1600 m. He gives the impression of, being a stayer and will have his; <-hance to prove it over the i Derby’s 2400 m. i