DARBY MUNRO TO APPEAL AGAINST DISQUALIFICATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26909, 22 October 1948, Page 8

DARBY MUNRO TO APPEAL AGAINST DISQUALIFICATION

N.Z.P.A.—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. MELBOURNE, Oct. 2i. In connection with the disqualification of Mr F. G. Spurway, the owner, D. Lewis, the trainer, Darby Munro, the jockey, and the bay colt Vagabond for two years the Victona Racing Ciub Committee will probably hear the appeals next weeK. Unless they are successful Vagabond will not be eligible for the Victona Derby and the Melbourne Cup, in which races he has been well backed. Proctor, also owned by Mr Spurway, will not be allowed to start in the Melbourne Cup unless he is sold in the meantime and the sale approved by the Victorian Racing after a slow beginning finished very last in the Burwood Handicap and was only defeated by a head by Ellerslie Mr Spurway, Lewis and Munro were shocked by the decision. Mr Spurway informed the stewards that he was amazed and surprised at their decision. After the decision Mr Spurway returned to Sydney, where he described the penalty as ridiculous and vicious. Munro, who is 35, has been riding for 21 years and is regarded as Australia s leading jockey. He has ridden the winners of three Melbourne Cups, three Sydney Cups, five Australian Jockey Club Derbies and four Victoria Derbies. Although he has ridden the winner of practically every important event in Australia he has not yet ridden a winner of the Caulfield Cup. Last Saturday he finished second in that race on the New Zealand horse Howe. ' Dan Lewis, aged 72, one of the oldest trainers in Australia, was very upset at the decision. He said it was the first time in more than 30 years of racing that he had ever been convicted by the stewards of any charge Lewis has trained the winners of five Sydney Cups and two AJ C. Derbies. Mr Spurway, a wealthy manufacturer in Sydney, has owned racehorses for nearly 30 years.