TROTTING CONTRETEMPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21919, 1 October 1934, Page 8

TROTTING CONTRETEMPS

WINNER ON WRONG MARK PENALTY NOT RECORDED DISMISSAL OF PROTEST [by telegraph —own correspondent] CHRISTCHUECH, Saturday A most peculiar position arose in the Westward Ho Handicap at the Methven trotting meeting to-day, the gelding De Soto and his c,river J. Bryce, j""., being the central figures. Originally handicapped on -18 yds behind, De Soto earned a 12yc'is penalty for a win at the Geraldine meeting. This penalty was not recorded in the race-book, neither did it appear on the official list handed to the ntarter by the secretary. At the starting post Bryce informed the starter that his correct mark was 60yds, not 48yds. The startpr, howover, declined to alter the list given De Soto won, and immediately Mr. T. W. Gudsell, owner of the second horse, Drag Harlan, entered a protest on the grounds that De Soto had started from his wrong mark. The judicial committee, however, dismisseu the protest. Mr. Gudsell promptly lodged an appeal, but this was withdrawn later in the day. The club's decision will- come before the Trotting Association next Friday and it will be interesting to see what action, if any, is taken. The incident caused a lot of discussion, especially among those who had supported the second, third and fourth horses.