DOPED RACEHORSE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 8 November 1935, Page 5

DOPED RACEHORSE

CAUENTE RECOVERING POISON GIVEN IN FEED MAY YET BE IN CUP. (By Telegraph—Press Association,) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 7. Definite proof of the administration of a potent poison to the mare Caliente, one of the favourites for tho New Zealand Cup, has been given by an analysis of samples of the horse’s saliva which were taken when her condition after a gallop yesterday- indicated that -there had been, interference. The matter has been taken up by the police, and to-night two detectives Were sent out to Riccarton to make inquiries. Caliente, an Auckland mare owned by Mr J. L. Webb, was showing signs of lameness earlier in the week and had been attended by a veterinary surgeon. When he made an examination of the mare yesterday for indications of soreness he found that her mouth was extensively blistered. After the horse had been given a gallop the veterinary surgeon noticed that she was distressed and frothing at the mouth. An examination showed that a corrosive sublimate had been put into the horse’s feed, and the surgeon attributed the marc’s condition to the effects of this chemical. A swab was taken and samples of the horse’s saliva were sent to a private analyst for examination. His analysis showed tiiat the mare was suffering from poisoning by mercuric chloride, a white crystalline powder which - could easily be put into the horse’s* feed box and which acts as a violent poison. Its effect is to extract moisture from the flesh and cause severe burning.

Although Caliente was groggy after her gallop yesterday she was in good order to-day. She was galloped over five furlongs and though she appeared to be moving short she improved considerably later. From her appearance to-day it seemed that the effects of the poison had worked off. It is not yet certain whether her engagement for the New Zealand Cup will be cancelled. She will be given some more easy work to-morrow and afterward a decision will be made whether she will be available for tin race.