CUP SENSATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22261, 8 November 1935, Page 10

CUP SENSATION

SUSPECTED POISONING CONDITION OF CALIENTE CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE FOUND ______ [BY TELEGRAPH —fiWN CORRESPONDENT] CHRISTCHURCH, Thur»da» , . A mild sensation has been caused it |p ]{iccarton by the suspected poisoning of the New Zealand Cup candidate '% Caliente, who has not been herself during the past two days. Proof of the presence of a potent poison has been given by an analysis of samples of the horse's saliva which were taken when her condition after a workout yesterday suggested that there had been some interference. The matter has , been taken up by the police and tonight two detectives were sent out to Riccarton to make inquiries. One of the Favourites Caliente, who is one of the favourites for the cup, was showing signs of lameness earlier in the week and had been attended by a veterinary surgeon. When he made an examination of the mare yesterday for indications of soreness he found that her mouth was extensively blistered. After the horse, had been given a work-out the veterinary surgeon noticed that she was distressed and frothing at the mouth. An examination showed that corrosive sublimate had been put into the horse's feed and the surgeon attributed the mare's condition to the effects of this chemical. A swab was taken and samples of the horse's saliva were,sent to a private analyst for examination. His analysis showed: that the mare was suffering from poisoning by mercurio chloride, a white crystalline powder, which could easily be put into the horse's feed box, and which acts as a violent poison. Its effect is to extract moisture from the flesh and cause severe burning. Condition Improved Although the mare was groggy after her work-out yesterday she was in good ■ order to-day. She was galloped over five furlongs and, although she appeared to be moving short, she improved considerably later. From her appearance to-day it seemed that the effects of the poison had worked off. It is not yet certain whether her engagement for the New Zealand Cup will be cancelled. She will be given some more easy work to-morrow and after- ' ward a decision will be made whether she will be available' for the race.

Caliente is owned by Mr. J. L. Webb, of Auckland. She is trained at Ellerslie by R. S. Bagby, who did not accompany her to Riccarton, but is at pres. ent in Whangarei with two other members of his team, Enlightenment and Tidalia. Caliente is a six-year-old chestnut mare by Polazel from Fortune's "Wheel, a full-sister to the great Phar Lap. As a result of her win in the Mitchelson Cup, one and a-half miles, at Ellerslie last month, she has been one of the popular fancies for the New Zealand Cup, in which she is weighted at 7.5.