PONY GOES MISSING

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 60, 8 September 1934, Page 23

PONY GOES MISSING

ANOTHER VICTORIAN CASE

No clue has j'et been' found to the whereabouts of the 14.2 hands pony, Sir Difference, the similarity of whose markings to a 14.2 pony of the same age that won races in the name of Percy is the subject of inquiry at present in Victoria (states a Melbourne exchange). The stipendiary stewards of the NorthEastern District Racing Association and the Gippsland District Racing Association desired that Sir Difference should be held for a further inspection a week or so ago, but the pony disappeared from the home of his trainer (Fred Fisher) at South Waugaretta the previous evening. Fisher told the stewards that Sir Difference had apparently jumped over the fence from his exercise yard or had broken through some rails. "We have not been able to find him," he said. "I produced him for inspection last week. I do not wish to make any further statement about the matter." ■ ■ . . The exercise yard is surrounded by a paling fence about sft high, and behind is a great sweep of grass paddock studded with trees. The secretary of the Victoria Racing Club (Mr. A. V. Kewney) said that a subcommittee of the V.R.C. would grant the Pakenham Race Club stewards an extension of time to inquire into the bona fides of Sir Difference. • The stipendiary steward of the Gippsland Racing Association (Mr. C. Clarke) will no doubt call on Fisher, as nominator of Sir Difference at Pakenham, to produce the pony. Should he fail to do so, he is, under the Rules of Racing, liable to disqualification. Mr. Clarke inspected Sir Difference on two occasions before the pony escaped, and he has sworn signed statements from two other men who were interested in a horse said to resemble Sir Difference to a marked degree. The only difference in the markings, it is stated, is white on the hind legs.

VICTORIAN TURF VETERAN : Mr. Chris Moore, a veteran of the Victorian Turf, whose death was announced from Melbourne during the week, was a good rider in years long past, and in more recentjgyears he had been interested as an owner, and trainer. Fifty-two years ago he won.the Caulfield Cup on Little Jack. Other riding- successes of his were the Victoria Derby on The Harvester, and the Ma'ribyrnong Plate oh Lonsdale and Etra Weenie, the V.A.T.C; Debutant Stakes, and Caulfield Guineas on Ringmaster, the V.R.C. Oaks on The Dauphine and Etra Weenie (dam of • Merriwee), the V.R.C. and A.J.C. St. Legers on Silver King, and the A.J.C. St. Leger on The Sailor Prince. : Moore rode for-the noted Victorian stable of Messrs.. James Wilson, sen. and .inn... Ho was also associated Mr. Wilson, jun.,as a trainer. The AVilson headefuarters are at Bonnyvale, near Queenscliff,. about 50 miles from Melbourne. When Bonnyvale horses came to the, city for racing they were located at Flemington, and Moore took charge officially of them, though Mr, -Wilson nearly always supervised their.work,

Although there has. been.much talk of licensing betting, shops in Queensland, arid other radical alterations in the State's gaming and racing laws, it now is fairly certain that the only important change to be made by the present Government will be the appointment of a racing' board of control, with very limited powers.