A SPECTACULAR SMASH

Grey River Argus, 5 January 1940, Page 5

A SPECTACULAR SMASH

In Intermediate Handicap There was a spectacular smash in the Intermediate Handicap at the Greymouth T.C. meeting yesterday, [almost paralleling that experienceu in an event on the same track at the ' Club’s last summer meeting. A bunched field, headed by the favourite Fragment (O. E. Hooper), with Waikari Jack, Equerry, Burt Scon, Misdeal and Kohua her nearest attendants, had just left the straight on the final circuit of the 104 furlongs journey, when Equerry tangled ana fell, bringing down Golden River, Erin’s Lad, Kohua and Misdeal. Prince de Oro, Zingarrie (who was making a fast run on the outside or the field with Chameleon), Balaclava, Aleli, Man Power, and King’s Navy, all met trouble through the mix-up, which was most spectacular, suikies, horses and riders being strewn all over the track. The only horses not to suffer through the accident were Fragment, Burt Scott, and Waikari Jack, and they had the race to themselves, except that the driverless Golden River carried on and actually finished third. Zingarrie and Chameleon were the only two of the other twelve horses affected to complete the course. One runner parted company with sulky and driver and paced on for about a furlong. Apart from minor bruising, the drivers an escaped injury except J. Fraser, Jnr., the driver of Kohua, who sustained slight back injuries and slight concussion. ■ He was conveyed to f ne Grey Hospital by ambulance and w’as last evening reported to be progressing satisfactorily. None of the horses suffered injury, apart from some bruising. After a very lengthy inquiry, instituted by the stipendiary steward, Mr J. S. Shaw, which began at the course and concluded about 9 o’clock last evening, the judicial committee decided that the evidence disclosed was insufficient to take any action. The evidence before the committee disclosed that Equerry fell first, bringing down the horses stated, and that this horse’s falling was not caused through interference by other contestants in the race.

Driver Fined: i At the conclusion of the Dash Handicap, W. R. Tatterson, driver of Glenhoime, was fined £2 for pulling up before the conclusion of the race. Tatterson had mistaken the number of laps traversed. The Greymouth and Westport Clubs are the only ones in New Zealand that use a lap bell, but despite the •ringing of this, this occurrence is recorded.