LATE SPORTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 August 1924, Page 9

LATE SPORTING.

SENSATION IX RACING CIRCLES. MeC’ARTEX ’S EXPLANATION. BY CABLE—PRE3S ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT Received Aug. 12, 11.15 a.m. SYDNEY, Aug. 12. The disqualification of Jones and AlcCarten has caused a sensation in racing circles. The result was quite unexpected. and it is stated that, even i*i the event of the appeals succeeding it is possible that some horses in Jones’ string will not again race m Au.sfiral.ia, |mt will be sent straight back to New /lea-land. Ballymena and Glent-ruin wiil thus be absent from the spring meeting, and Ballymena will not parLicipate in the Melbourne Cup. An inquiry was held into Royal Despatch's form at Moorefield races three weeks ago, but after evidence the stewards accepted the explanation given. .Jones states that he had a high opinion of Royal Despatch, and expected him to prove a good thing for the Maiden in Australia, and improve into a good horse, capable of winni'ng a useful race, but over here he became erratic, and did not produce his best form. McCarten says that Royal Despatch was running wd!l early in the Canterbury Maiden Handicap, when a horse ridden by an apprentice threatened to carry him off the course. McCarten therefore pulled in behind the others, thinking it better to await a run on the inside than to take the risk of losing all chance through having to go round a. bunch of horses ahead of him. He assumes that this action was construed by the stewards to be pulling Royal Despatch, but he claims that he did it with absolutely honest intentions, and in the hope that at the run on the inside lie would save much ground and enable him to win the race. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PURCHASE BY WANGANUI OWNER, Received Aug. 12, 11.15 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 11. Mr John Donald, of Wanganui, has purchased from Mr J. B. Joel the four-year-old stallion Chief Ruler, by Tracery out of : Jest, —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GRAND NATIONAL MEETINGFIRST DAY. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 12. 'The Grand National meeting opened in fine weather. There is a big crowd, and the course is excellent. Results: Hunters’ Hurdles.—Bullford 1, Adjutor 2, Cairnmuir 3. All started. Naughty Boy fell at the last hurdle. Won by a length. Time, 3.22 1-5. ’ Trial Hurdles.—Santiago 1, Fort Regal 2, Gold Piece 3. Scratched : Income, Royal Fame. Won by six lengths. Time, 3.24. Cashmere Plate.—llka 1, Sunup 2, Rawene 3. Scratched: Jack Kilrain. Won hv half a length. Time, 1.5 4-5. Jumpers’ Flat. —Nukumai 1, Merry Singer 2, Penury Rose. Scratched: Birkenella. Won hv a length. Time, 2.41 3-5.