SYDNEY RACING SENSATION

Evening Star, Issue 18716, 19 August 1924, Page 9

SYDNEY RACING SENSATION

JONES-irCARTEH DISQUALIFICATION. MERITS OF THE CASE. [Special to the ‘ Stab.’] WELLINGTON, August 18. The arrival of the Melbourne steamer carrying the latest Sydney files containing details of the Jones-M'Carten racing sensation has been eagerly awaited, ana with the arrival of the Tahiti to-day these were available. The following, penned by “ Cardigan," appeared in the Sydney ‘Referee 1 of August 13 regarding the disqualificatio.n: — “ When the A.J.C. stipendiary stewards (Messrs J. Higgins, Abater Hayes, and F. Coombes) disqualified C. H. Bryans and G. Moddick, together with the mare Corncrake, some weeks ago, they caused a great stir in racing circles. But it was mild tp the flutter they caused on Monday, when they announced that F. D. Jones and M. M'Carten were disqualified for twelve months in connection with the running of Royal Despatch at Canterbury Park on Saturday last. Royal Despatch hae probably caused Fred. Jones more trouble than any other horso he has ever had in a long and honorable career. At his fust start in Sydney, at the Mooreticld Meeting on July 19, ho was_ the opening favorite for the second division of the Maiden Handicap, but drifted in the betting. E. Lowe was riding on that occasion. The stewards inquired into his running, and after talcing evidence accepted the explanation of tho rider and trainer, adding that they were certain that there was no improper intent. On Saturday, at Canterbury, Royal Despatch was given another run, this time in tho first division of the Maiden Handicap, and was well up in the market.

“Ridden by M. M'Carten, who had arrived from the dominion in tlie intervening period, he was one of the first away, but dropped back, never afterwards appeared to have a possible chance, and finished in the middle of the field. The stewards immediately opened an inquiry, but owing to the short time between races adjourned it until Monday, when, after further consideration, they arrived at the decision mentioned above.

“ Royal Despatch is a four-year-old gelding, and, although lie has proved that he can gallop in private, is regarded as wayward, as on more than one occasion he has shown an inclination to run off the course. Only on Tuesday morning last, at Eandwick, when going over five furlongs (with M'Carten up), he ran into the hurdle. At Moorsfield he was hanging out most of the way, but I believe that M'Carren told Jones after the race on Saturday that he did not hang out, hut was simply nob good enough. Jones was not at all confident about Royal Despatch on Saturday, aud told me before the race that he only intended putting enough on that horse to try to get back the money..he lost on him at Moorefield. This money was entrusted to a well-known commission agent who is a friepd of Jones’s, and at the inquiry produced the betting tickets, showing the extent of the commission, which was very small, as Mr Knight is a nonbetting owner and Jones is a very small punter. “Jones and M'Carten are bewildered at the turn of events, and they are not alone, as numerous good judges who saw the race on Saturday, and have known Jones and M'Carten, are astonished at the disqualification. It is realised that the stipendiary stewards have their duty to the public to perform, but most racing men fail to see what object either M'Carten or Jones would have in preventing Royal Despatch from doing his best. Jones lias a great team and splendid prospects of winning big stake money with Ballymena, Glentruin, Killochra, and others, and it is unlikely that he would jeopardise those prospects by adopting questionable tactics in a maiden race that is worth about £l3O. The horse himself has proved that lie is not of much account, and it was Jones’s intention to sell him in Australia, if opportunity arose. In any case, the action of the stewards is likely to have far-reach-ing effects, and it would not be surprising if the whole of Jones’s team were scratched from their Sydney engagements. It is sincerely hoped that this action will not bo decided upon, as racegoers are keen to see the best New Zealanders in action,”