ATTEMPTED DOPING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20628, 29 July 1930, Page 7

ATTEMPTED DOPING.

RECENT CASE IN MELBOURNE. GRAND NATIONAL HORSES. A few years ago a gang of dope fiends was at work on Melbourne racecourses, and several horses were "nobbled," snys tlie Australasian. Ona was Blague, who was undoubtedly got at before ho started in n race at Epsom, for which ho was a rodhot favoiirito. Tho dope remained in his system for a time afterwards, and it. was not until a. year or two before his death that it was finally worked out. About seven years ago a, dose of heroin was administered to Valvoid just before ho ran in a race which ho won at Moonee Valley, Tho culprit was caught, red handed, and was afterwards disqualified for life. After that t'lero was it slump in the doping business, but there seems to bo another Kami at work in Melbourne. Mr. Powell reported last week that nn attempt hud been made to break into tho quarters of Mosstrooper before ho ran in one of tho Grand Nationals. It would seem that Kentle was also to have been doped, but (he plan miscarried. His trainer, Biggins, reported to Mr. L. K. S. Mackinnon that, on tho morning previous to the Grand National Steeplechase one of his lads found a milk thistle in a stall at tho drying sheds at, Caulfield. It wan the stall usually occupied by Kentle, and the weed had been placed within easy reach of a horse in the at all. The thistle was sent to tho Government analyst, who found alkaloid crystals on the stem. Had Kentle eaten (he weed the effect, would have been to temporary blind and paralyse hill). Fortunately Kentle was moved to another stall. That night an attempt was made to force the stable door, but the mcu wero disturbed and were Been running away. Tho miittor is being investigated by tho V.H.C. stipendiary stewards.

CANTERBURY NOTES.

FORM AT TIMARU.

INJURY TO TO PER E

[l»v 'i Er.ECUl.U'lt.— OWN COnitESI'ONDISXT. ]

(TfIUSTCTIUHCH. Monday

Topers received a severe cuf on otic of liis less when ho was knocked back shortly after the start of lite Claremont Handicap at, "Washdyko on Saturday, but the injury is not thought likely to interferu with his final preparation for the "Winter Cup. lie ran a very satisfactory race under the circumstances and will not require much more galloping to get him hack to tho good form ho showed curlier in the season. Unfortunately. ho will not have a race at the Christchurch Hunt Club meeting on .Saturday, as his nomination for the Brnbnaon Handicap was overlooked. A. E. Ellis huß been engaged to ride Toxeuma in llio Winter Cup. Rapina may never reach the height attained by her halfbrother, Rapine, but she is likely to make marked improvement with age, and if would occasion no surprise to find her an important winner later on in the new season. Tractarian, a winner at Washdyko on Saturday, is bred on jumping lines, as in addition to being by Tractor, he is the progeny of a mare. Dusky, who won several cups and trophies at non-totalsiator meetings in Otago Central. Tractarian is undoubtedly a finished jumper himself and as Saturday was only his second appearance in public, fiis first being when he ran second to Deportment at Waimate, bis future bears a certain amount of promise, lie will contest the Hack Steeplechase events at the Grand National meeting and as the Riccarton country should not cause him much trouble he looks a likely stake-earner on the trip. Mai";o Polo found tho Washdyko country moro solid than at "Waimate and the hitting of a couple of the early fences settled liiin for tho remainder of the journey, although he got round safely. As he is only entering upon his sixth year, there is plenty of time ahead for the Marco Bello gelding.

Star Stranger 11. looked well when paraded for the Hunters' Plate Handicap ni Washdyko and ran a very creditable race for over half fho journey. This mare showed a lot of paco earlier in her career and W. Holmes ha 3 hopes of winning some money with her next seaaon. Beau Geste showed a pleasing glimpse of his old form when he formed one of the leading division for six furlongs in the Claremont Handicap. This gelding; has invariably been under a cloud, hut it is hoped he will stand up to another term of racing, as he is a useful galloper when at his best. Fresh ISreeze, winner of Hunters' Plate Handicap on Saturday, is an older brother by Boniform to Quarterdeck and Waterliue. Ho had only recently been brought in from a spell by lus owner, Mr. F. P. C'laridgc, and a big improvement enn be expected in him for later engagements. He is engaged in a similar event at Hiccarton next Saturday.

Homecoming, a rising four-year-old gelding by Winning Hit from Fairhaven, created a favourable impression by the bold showing he made for the greater port of the journey in the Levels Hack Handicap at. the South Canterbury fixture on Saturday. This was his first appearance for his present owner, Mr. E. M. flheedy, who a few months back acquired him from the late Sir George Clifford.

THE LEADING JOCKEYS

EFFECT OF SATURDAY'S WINS

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OHHISTCHUHCH, Monday.

Jn spite of the fact that after tho Gisborno meeting, H. Gray was four wins ahead of A. H Ellis lor the season, ho did not teel inclined to let tho South Canterbury Hunt meeting on Saturday go by. Ho accordingly got into touch with some southern trameis. but was ablo to arrange only one ride, but that mount, Town Major, was encouraging enough for him to make the trip. Ho secured one other ride, Night Effort, on arrival, and although alio was made favourite, she failed to show any prominence. Town Major, however, never gave indications of tiring defeated over tho hint balfmilo of the concluding event, and Gray was thus compensated for his long journey South, although he may have got little as far ns riding fees were concerned. Ellis naturally used every endeavour to make up the leeway and prior to the meeting agreed to take his brother's (A. S. Ellis) mounts on the programme, in addition to th 0.40. he had previously arranged for. These included Membo, Darlington and Xgahue in tho jumping events, and West Dome in the Hunters' Plate.

Ellis v.'ne Into in arriving and missed the ride on Membo, who, however, did not race up to expectations. Ho piloted the other threo for u win, a second and 11 fall His prospects 011 Radiate looked Rood, but tho gelding was not himself and pulled up Inme. Taboo completed the day's programme, his usual pilot, D. Brodic, standing down for Ellis, but. tho "iron horse," us he is now termed, was beaten into third place by Cray's mount. It will thus be Been that Ellis was a genuine "tiyer" in his effort to overhaul tho trader. but without avail The present position, 7t to 70 in Gray's favour, nssurtM tho lattor of tho season's premiership. The first day of tho Manawatu Winter Meeting on Thursday will close the season's fixtures, but while Gray will bo there to do any riding forthcoming, Ellis hns decided that in tho absence of any certain "louuts the trip would not bo worth while, as ho has to be at Riccarlon for Saturday's rnces.