LIFE DISQUALIFICATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1940, Page 11

LIFE DISQUALIFICATION

4 ON NIGGER BOY’S OWNER. [PER press association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 10. Found guilty of a corrupt practice, the offering of money to the rider of another horse in which his own horse, Nigger Boy, was engaged in the last race of the Cup meeting at Riccarton, Benjamin Nausbaum, of ‘ Palmerston North, was to-day disqualified for life by the Canterbury District Committee. Horses owned by Nausbaum or ■in which he has an interest were also disqualified. Nigger Boy and Sleeveless, are two prominent horses affected by the decision. Evidence on the charge of corrupt practice was heard by the committee, of which Mr. D. E. Wanklyn was appointed chairman. Other members of the committee were Messrs. A. S. Elworthy, G. Fulton, G. R. Macdonald, R. M. Morten, E. B. Newton, G. H. Grigg, H. D. Greenwood, and R. G. G. Westenra. Both Nausbaum, who appeared personally, and Mr. C. F. Hartland, the stipendiary steward who laid the charge, were represented by counsel, as was a witness subpoenaed by Mr. Hartland. Mr. A. T. Donnelly represented Mr. Hartland, Mr. C. S. Thomas appeared for Nausbaum, and Mr. R. Twyneham watched the interests of the witness. By the consent of the committee, the appearance of counsel was permitted. By the unanimous decision of the committee, Nausbaum was first found guilty of a charge of corrupt practice under Rule 338, paragraph la, in that on November 16, 1940, the fourth day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s metropolitan meeting at Riccarton racecourse, he did corruptly, directly or indirectly, offer a sum of money to P. Spratt, a rider having charge of or access to a horse, Don’t Forget. The second resolution unanimously made was that Nausbaum be disqualified for life. A third resolution was that all the horses owned by B. Nausbaum or in which he had an interest shall be entered in the list of disqualifications as from November 18, 1940. Rule 338, under part XI of the Rules of Racing, states: 1. Every person commits a corrupt practice within the meaning of these rules who in New Zealand or any other country (a) corruptly gives or offers, directly or indirectly, any money, present, share in a bet, or other benefit to any person having official duties in relation to a race, or to any owner, trainer, rider, or other person having charge of or access to any horse. HORSES AFFECTED. B. Nausbaum has raced gallopers in partnership with his father, Mr. Solomon Nausbaum, who is a resident of Wellington, in the past three seasons. Four horses have carried their colours: Sleeveless, Nigger Boy, Hunting Royal, and a two-year-old who was recently given his first outing. The first horse to race in the partnership was Sleeveless, which in 23 starts as a three-year-old won five races, was five times second, and twice third. Nigger Boy won £ 840 by two wins and a second at the Metropolitan meeting at Riccarton. He was purchased by B. and S. Nausbaum from H. J. Riddle, of Riverton, for 600 guineas and contingencies after the Grand National meeting in August, and racing for his new owners won his first three races in the North Island. For 12 starts this season, Nigger Boy has had five wins, a second plating, and three third platings. He has been recognised as being the best sprinter in the Dominion, by being given top weight, 9.3, in the Railway Handicap at the Christmas meeting at Auckland. Sleeveless was also handicapped for this sprint;, but both horses will not now be eligible to start.