Court Jester scratched

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34072, 9 February 1976, Page 8

Court Jester scratched

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) ADELAIDE.

In » sensational seque to the disqualification of the top

Victorian reinsman. Dal Fitzpatrick, a part-owner of the brilliant Victorian four-year-old Court Jester, Mr Ray Thompson, said the horse will be scratched from the remainder of the Inter. Dominion championship series. Fitzpatrick was suspended until midnight on Wednesday for careless driving. Stewards suspended Fitzpatrick for forcing out about 150 m after the start from the inside of Trail of Gold causing that horse fo become unbalanced and break gait.

Both Mr Thompson and Fitzpatrick were not hostile of the stewards for their action. However, Fitzpatrick has driven the champion to 15 successive victories and also has train-d Court jester throughout 'l's career.

Court Jester in winning the second trotters' qualifying division notched his fiftetith successive win to equal the Australian record which is held by Delvin Dancer. Fitzpatrick said later: "If I can't drive him he is going home and will definitely be scratched."

Trail of Gold, driven by a South Australian, Barry Nolan, was up on the outside of Court Jester and had the champion locked up on the fence when Fitzpatrick made his desperate move to get clear. Th e stewards also suspended i the West Australian reinsman, Ken Anderson, until Wednesday midnight for careless driving.