VERSION OF STARTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20071, 8 October 1928, Page 10

VERSION OF STARTER.

PROPER DESPATCH! CLAIMED. CONFIRMATION BY STEWARDS. CONFUSION AMONG JOCKEYS. "Tho horses were released to a proper start in the Mitchelson Cup. and there was no interference with the barrier whatever," sail Mr. Charles O'Connor, official starter to the Auckland Racing Club, when interviewed yesterday regarding the previous day's incident. "To Kara, ridden by McTavish, was walking about bohind the field until time was up, owing to the horse causing troublo through kicking. A place was left for him at the barrier, and when time was up I called to McTavish to bring his horso in.. Immediately he got in I released the barrier and called out to the field to go. In my opinion tho start was a perfectly good one, and differed in no respect from any other previous start in tho day. Mr. O'Connor denied statements made at the subsequent stewards' inquiry by the riders of the horses which did not participate in the raco that ho did not call out to the field to go. - To Kara certainly walked up to tho barrier, but tho horse did not touch tho tapes, which were released as soon as the field was in line. Repeated Call to Riders. As soon aa ho saw three horses remained at tho barrier Mr. O'Connor said he again called to tho riders to go, and when they did not then move ho repeatedly called out. Had it not been for the crowd calling to tho riders to pull up there was no doubt the other four horses, which were already away with the rest, would not have been stopped. It appeared very clear that the whole unfortunate incident which followed the return of tho horses to tho birdcage was an aftermath of tho false start which occurred during the Pakuranga Hunt Club meeting at Ellerslio the preceding Saturday. Interviewed after the race McTavish said when he was told by Mr. O'Connor to take his place with the field at the barrier To Kara, jumped forward and caught his head in the barrier tapes. Ho was almost sure this mado one end of tho barrier riss, as immediately ho touched it it shot up. Although he heard spectators calling to the riders to stop, this did not induco him to pull up, as ho had already formed the opinion there had been a falsa start. Although tho barrier rose as soon as To Kara touched tho tapes, he was under the impression that Mr. O'Connor had not been responsible for the start.

Evidence of Jockeys. A full account of the start was given by several jockeys in evidence at the inquiry held by the stewards immediately after the race. In an official statement .issued on Saturday evening the stewards stated they had no option but to declare tho race properly started, in view of the starter's evidence. It was pointed out that by Rule 5, part 24, of the Rules of Racing, "tho starter's decision shall bo final, except in tho case of a start in front of the starting post, or 011 a wrong course, or before tho appointed time," In the opinion of the stewards there was 110 reason to over-rido Sir. O'Connor's decision that tho horses were sent away to a fair start. P. Brady, ridor of Queen Arch, stated at tho inquiry that he jumped out at tho start, but did not know whether to go on or not. When the crowd started to call out ho pulled up after running some distance. Other than the fact that spec tators called out to him, he had 110 reason to think there had been a false start. Action of Clerk of Course. Tho stewards' statement added that A Tinker, rider of Star Stranger, R. Mc': Tavish (To Kara), L. Manson (Valkon). C. Goldsbro (iVlint L.cof) s IT. (Catkin) and 0. Mclnally (Tidal), also gave evidence, from which it appeared that some stayed at the post because they did not hear the starter call to them to go. although they knew tho barrier lifted properly. I'or somo reason thev thought lo Kara had plunged into the'tapes and released the barrier. Tho others pulled up 011 account of tho spectators. It was also stated officially that the clerk of (ho course, Mr. A. Selby, acted upon his own initiative in endeavouring to induce those riders who got well away from tho start to pull up. No responsibility was taken, for this action by the stewards, as it had not been authorised.

JOCKEYS INJURED. CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. EIGHT HORSES COME TO GRIEF. Six jockeys were injured when their mounts fell in the. Hunters' Steeplechase, hut none of them was severely hurt. At the lirst. fence the first time round, two riders, M. Conway, who was on Master Arch, and E. Warner, rider of Archangel, were thrown heavily, Conway, whose skullcap was crushed by the impact, sustaining a severe cut on the head and contusions. Warner was unconscious for about five minutes. Two horses fell on the hill, but their riders escaped injury. Ono of the. horses, Tago San, broke a leg and had to be destroyed. On the final round four horses fell together at the first fence at tho top of the hill, and all the jockeys required medical treatment. S. Henderson, rider of Marifa, sustained a fracture of his right collarbone, while H. Dulieti, rider of Rafferty, received injuries to his ribs and slight concussion. J. Sharkey, who was on Importer, had his face severely cut and suffered slight concussion, and R. Syme, who fell from Pompoms, was picked up suffering from shock. The St. John Ambulance had a busy time, as the stretcher-bearers had only attended to the first two jockeys when it was seen that the others had been injured. The van was driven to (he foot of the hill and the riders were, brotmht down on stretchers. Meanwhile three spectators who had been knocked down by horses coming up the finishing straight required attention. Another case which was treated during tho afternoon was that of Mr. J. Martingale, a cook, employed in tho refreshment rooms, who sprained his wrist and also burned one hand. The task of tho ambulance workers was impeded by tho crowd of anxious inquirers who gathered round (he casualty room as each new case was brought in, and attempted to gain admission to see who had been injured. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. FREE ADMISSION TO COURSE. The remaining threo races which were postponed 011 Saturday will bo run this afternoon, when tho course will be thrown open to the public free of charge. The first race will start at two o'clock. Tho second day's racing, which was to have taken place to-day, will now bo held to-morrow, when the usual charges for admission will bo made.