Collusion charge is dismissed

Press, 21 October 1983, Page 15

Collusion charge is dismissed

Special correspondent Auckland

A charge against the Kumeu trainer, Tony Milina, under a rule concerning collusion in a race was dismissed at Alexandra Park on Wednesday evening. He was, however, reprimanded. Milina had Patron Lynn and Traitor’s Gate in the Lordship Mobile Stakes. He drove Patron Lynn, the win favourite, and Trai-

tor’s Gate was driven by Colin Evans.

Patron Lynn made the pace, trailed by Traitor’s Gate. Over the final stages, Patron Lynn moved away from the rails. Traitor’s Gate came through on the inside and went on to win easily. He paid $13.60. The stipendiary stewards committee charged Milina under a rule which states that if a race is won as the result of collusion or other fraudulent conduct by a horseman, owner or trainer of the winning horse and the horseman, owner or trainer of any other horse in the race, the winner may be disqualified or the race declared void.

Any other horse in the race, the horseman, owner or trainer of which has been a party to such collusion

may also be disqualified. A statement issued by the

committee said the charge had been laid in regard to Milina’s allowing Patron Lynn to run off her fence, thus allowing Traitor’s Gate to improve on the inside. Evidence was heard from Milina, Evans, the stipendiary steward at the home turn and the patrol steward at the foot of the back straight.

It was established, the statement said, that Patron

Lynn had raced one off the fence in the back straight and round the top turn. “When Traitor’s Gate improved on the inside, Milina was committed to keeping Patron Lynn out.” “The two horses turned into the straight on terms. Approximately 150 m from the finish, Patron Lynn, which was running out, was under a hard drive, whereas. Traitor’s Gate won comfortably by three and a half lengths.” All this bad been confirmed on a replay of the video film. While the committee’s decision was to reprimand Milina, the state-

ment said, there had never been a suggestion Patron Lynn had not been run on idssjnerits. Wf* 1