ALLEGED “RINGING-IN”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 182, 4 July 1931, Page 16 (Supplement)

ALLEGED “RINGING-IN”

N.Z. HORSES IN SYDNEY. ILLEGAL IMPORTATIONS. Unless rumour is . a particularly lymß jade, the illegal importation of P r °7® horses, gallopers and trotters, ti New Zealand has become a fine a (says a writer in the Sydney Sun). . These horses arrive unheralded and with their praises unsung. They, are described often as “just a hack, atbough why anybody should wantr send such an animal 1200 miles is dimcult to discover. There is not mucn doubt, too, that regular racing people and some officials have knowledge o the skilful coterie carrying out tne business, but knowledge is one thing and proof another. In addition the horse importers leave little to chance and lay their schemes carefully aed wi.rilyj' with full, attention to detail. When the “ringer” is produced . and backed there is little cha nee of matters going astray.

CHANGED IDENTITY. Horses' that have performed well in the Dominion lend themselves well to tho schemers. They are .very seldom branded, and change of identity is simple. . Sometimes these horses arrive singly, without an attendant, and nobody appears to worry about them. However, delivery is taken.of the despised hack, and it disappears. Twelve months or more elapse before it reappears in the racing arena, duly branded and with an Australian pedigree. Even the pedigree is in order, for usually the animal is given as from an obscure brood mare, whose service to a not to prominent sire'is duly published in the Stud Book. Thus the “ringer” may have the real official stamp of equine respectability. It will thus be seen that the traffickers in horses lay their plans skilfully and a long way ahead. The officials are cognisant of the weakness of the system and rules and regulations may be made to meet the position. . . .

CHANGE LIKELY. The V.R.C. is recommending a change, but as it affects only Australian horses, it will not stop the worn loophole. Reciprocity from New Zealand is also necessary. The long sea coast of Australia, with its many ports, also presents a difficulty. Horses arrive from .outside the Commonwealth in other than big ships at main ports. While there is little doubt that some horses ■ have arrived from the Dominion by direct steamers, there is. also just as great a certainty that freighters are also the medium. To supervise all importations would be a huge task, but it is something to ’ learn that the authorities, as represented by the officials of the leading clubs, .are giving this matter serious attention. They have been forced to realise by their investigations to date that 1 they are up against men .'of mettle.