RUNNING OF BUSH LADDIE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 157, 29 March 1941, Page 17

RUNNING OF BUSH LADDIE

At the last meeting of the Trotting Association the New Brighton Trotting Club reported having held an inquiry into the driving of E, J. Smith behind Bush Laddie in the Bristol Beaufort Handicap. A protest had been entered by the stipendiary steward, Mr. J. S. Shaw, who considered that Bush Laddie had been driven an ill-judged race. Mr. Shaw said that while Bush Laddie was giving away 36yds. he was soon 80yds. behind the leaders, but four furlongs from home he moved up quickly and was in fifth place at the finish. In his opinion Bush Laddie could have bridged the gap of about seven lengths early in the race without any effort and without covering extra ground. “Once on the journey.” reported Mr. Shaw "Blush Laddie can trot as fast as any trotter racing at the present time.” E. J. Smith had stated that Bush Laddie had never trotted a good race on a grass track. The trouble was that he always broke in the first part of the journey. This time he did not break, but was pulling very hard and was on the verge of a break. After he had gone threequarters of a mile Bush Laddie dropped the bit and began to trot. Smith said that there were three horses in front of him and he would have had to go “four carts out” to have gone round the field. He had a few pounds on his horse, and could produce the tickets. A sum of £3 for a place was his bet. The owner, Mr. R. Mehrtene, had a few pounds on Bush Laddie, and had instructed him to keep in behind the field, close up. Smith did not think that he was any further back than his handicap of 36yds. at auy stage of the race. Smith, in answer to a question by Mr. B. J. McKenna, had said that Bush Laddie was “a moody trotter and not reliable, being better on a clay track.” Smith said the track was “puggy” and his horse could not handle the going, and he did not think he would improve by racing on the grass. The owner, Mr. R. Mehrtens, said he was not a big bettor, and usually bucked for a place. The decision of the Judicial Committee was as follows :—“After considering the evidence it is resolved that no action be taken. The action of the club was endorsed.