BEFORE SCHEDULE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 74, 1 April 1929, Page 11

BEFORE SCHEDULE

AUCKLAND STARTER'S MISTAKE

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "Tho Evening Post")

AUCKLAND, This Day

The Champagne Stakes, run at Ellerslie on Saturday, was. timed to start at 2.37 p.m., but owing to some misconception on the part of the starter, 'Mr. C. O 'Connor, the field, according to the official sheet, was' started at 2.3.'S X).m., or four minutes too soon. The field was well on its way by the time tho totalisator was closed. >

The rules of racing state that if a race is started before time it shall be ro-run, and this has been dono in New Zealand. However, according to Mr. W. S. Spenee, the secretary, no one protested on Saturday, and the stewards did not take any action. In order that this will not occur- again, a signal will have to be given to the starter that the machine is closed. "

Wellington, Wanganui, and' Eiccarton have electric totalisators, and they hoist a signal showing that the machine has finished operations, and theystarter' immediately. ..proceeds'' to dispatch Ins' field. At Ellerslic the starter goes by the time given in the. race card without any signai being hoisted that the machine is closed. Owing to unforeseen circumstances the club may set back th-rW times, and the starter is notified iccordingly. The occurrence was a most unfortunate one. As stated by the secretary, it was unlikely that the framers of. the rule ever contemplated that high-class two-year-olds should be made to run twice in an afternoon owing to. an error on the part of tlio starter in sending them away too soon.