SENSATION AT RACES

Evening Star, Issue 19464, 24 January 1927, Page 14

SENSATION AT RACES

USE OF ELECTRIC BATTERY An electric battery was found at the Ascot Racecourse, Sydney, on January 11, and as a result A. G. Grail, owner and trainer, W. Deaves, attendant, James Martin, jockey, and the horse Prince Otfa were disqualified for life, it was due to the alertness of one of the stipendiary stewards, Mr J. Donohoe, says the Sydney ‘ Morning Herald, 1 that the whole scheme was unearthed. When the horses had returned to the enclosure after the running of the first division of the Ascot Handicap Mr Donohue was in the official stand overlooking the operations. While Martin was in the act of dismounting from Prince Otfa Mr Donohoo noticed him extend a hand to the attendant, and then the latter appeared to put something into his pocket. The steward’s suspicions were immediately aroused, and he rushed downstairs and escorted Martin and the attendant to the stewards 1 room. The doors were then closed, and a close cross-examina-tion ensued. The attendant refused to be searched, and he also refused at first to turn out his pockets. Members of the police force were then called into the room, and after further requests the attendant produced the battery from his right-hand trousers pocket, at the same time remarkingj it is alleged, “ I donß know what it is; and Martin did not give it to me.” Martin, it was stated, said, ‘‘ 1 don’t know what it is; it does not concern me. 1 did not use it. 11 A. G. Craft, the owner of the horse, was also cross-examined by the stewards, w'lio later issued the following report;—“An inquiry was held into the alleged use of an electric battery on Prince Offa in the first division of tli© Ascot Handicap, and, after hearing tiro evidence of Mr A. G. Craft, owner and trainer, Mr .W. Deaves, who saddled the horse, and the rider, James Martin, tho stewards were satisfied that the battery had been used, and decided to disqualify Mr Craft, Mr Deaves, the jockey (Martin), and the brown gelding Prince Olfa for life.” Tho contrivance was a compact hand dry battery, obviously intended for administering shocks. It was encased in vulcanite, with two protruding brass pins. Black elastic was bound round the article to keep it intact, and with the elastic also a, thumb or linger grip was formed. The contrivance could easily be carried in the palm of the hand, being about 2sin long by about Ijiu wide. ft was an inexpensive article, but a fairly powerful one, and it proved interesting to a number of trainers, who tested it by placing a finger across tho two pins. Prince Offa was in the market for tho race, but there was no outstanding demand for him to suggest that he was to be the subject of startling developments. It had been customary for him to hold a rear position in the early stages of his races, but on this occasion he was one of the first away, and he made tho running. Ho held his position in front until nearing tho straight entrance, where he ran very wide, and finished fourth. A. G. Craft, the owner, has always had a fairly large team of horses in work, and ho has had a number of successes. On the day in question he also started Cool M., which was ridden by R. Craft, in the Novice Handicap, but the gelding finished seventh. Craft had entered Blue Flame for the first division of tho Ascot Handicap also, but this gelding was withdrawn. _ J. Martin, the rider, had previously been punished by the stewards. He won the first division of the Novice Handicap on the day mentioned on Laelia.