Misconduct fine for Winsloe

Press, 26 July 1986, Page 32

Misconduct fine for Winsloe

PA Dunedin The Gore trainer, Ted Winsloe, was fined $2OO and ordered to pay $3OO costs when he admitted a charge of misconduct before a sub-committee of the Otago District judiciary on Thursday. ■ Winsloe and the coowner of Appear, Mary Dailey, were ordered to pay the costs when they failed with an appeal against a decision of the Otago Racing Club’s judicial committee not to relegate Walden Pond from first in the Otago Hurdles on June 2. Appear finished second.

The stipendiary steward, Jock McCulloch, was

also denied his appeal against the dismissal of a careless riding charge against Willie Harnett (Walden Pond). Harnett was awarded $3O expenses. The misconduct charge related to an incident between Winsloe and the Chairman of the Otgo Racing Club judicial committee, Ken Greenslade, during hearings. The charge was laid by the racecourse inspector, Guy Howell. The sub-committee found that it was little short of a tragedy that Winsloe, a highly successful licensed trainer, should blemish his record. “The charge is serious,

not because of the alleged language, but because the chairman of the judicial committee had been confronted regarding a decision made that day and felt menaced,” it said. “The committee accepts the apology was Sincere and takes into account that by admitting the charge, Winsloe saved the possible embarrassment of a number of racing administrators having to give evidence and undergo cross examination.”

The sub-committee found that Walden Pond moved out after the last fence but that Harnett immediately corrected his line and the chance of Appear was not affected.

Ellis Winsloe continued to ride Appear vigorously and neither balance nor momentum were affected. Appear moved in slightly and contact was made with the rear of Walden Pond.

At worst, and on the balance of probabilities, both horses contributed. An advantage of a long neck at the point of contact was extended to three quarters of a length at the winning post. Regarding the appeal by Mr McCulloch, Harnett was given the benefit of doubt in view of his action in endeavouring to straighten the horse and refraining from using a whip.