Connolly Thinks He’s Badly Treated

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6667, 21 July 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

Connolly Thinks He’s Badly Treated

BIG BETTOR LOSES APPEAL ; V.R.C.’SBOLD . ACTION Further details of the dismissal of E.. Connolly's fruitless appeal against his disqualification appear iri Australian files to; hand' this week. Disqualified' from the turf for 12 months,.; Eric ‘ Connolly,, perhaps the greatest ‘ puiiter ”Australia has known, mad.e a final effort to clear his name and effect his reinstatement. Together with his jockey, P. O’Hanlori, says a Melbourne correspondent, he appealed- against the disqualification imposed by the Y.R.C. stipendiary stewai-ds iri "connection with the running of hi's ’ two-year-old filly Broken Doll in the Princess Handicap at Plemingtqn on Juno,2. . •

The committee of the V.R.C., which heard the appeals* dismissed them. , “I Have. Got the Dirt”

All inquiries ;by stewards and-appeals before .thoA^.Rld'committee are. heard in ?cameraj ’-and - the only ■ announcement- was -made .{.by. Mr. A. V. Kewney, secretary of the V.R;C., who, on leaving- the committee room, stated, “The appeals’have beeri dismissed.” Connolly, who had staked all on the appeal, was visibly affected when the decision; was made, known, and said, “I have got the dirt.”

Not since the famous Purser case has so much interest been aroused in a turf disqualification in Australia. The most conservative. body in the Commonwealth. the ;, V.R.C., has never shown a • desire to meddle unduly in the conduct of racing, but it is significant that, when the stewards have decided Ho take action, men high •up in , the racing game have come under their’ban. 1 - When .C. Godby, Hughie Cairns, and J. Corteen- were disqualified in connection with Purser’s reversal of form in the Caulfield Cup a few years ago, a first-class sensation was caused. The hirV.BiC. Committee remained adamant, and the'ban resulted in the retirement, from the turf permanently of Corteferi, known as a big’bettor. Heroic,whom he owned, was prevented from- starting in the Melbourne Cup; and a big coup was upset. Now action has been taken against a man who stands prominent in turf circles •'.'ln Victoria and New South Wales, ~ ' Bookmakers’ Fears Connolly, is the one man feared by the bookmakers,, having brought off too many -big wagers; in past seasons to bo regarded lightly. -s Broken Hell, however, has proved his downfall. This filly started in a division of a Novice Handicap at Aspendale;Park on May 23, but ran inconspicuously. About eight days later, backed to favouritism, she ran away with ’ the Princess Handicap. This reversal of form made the stewards taka action’ which resulted in the disqualification' for one year of the filly; the owner, E. A. Connolly, and the jockey, O’Hanlon. As 'a result of the failure of the appeals, Connolly’s string will be unable to take part in the big spring events,.entries for which closed several days ago - hqving been made in his luaiqe,