THE BED OF STONE CASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2287, 30 December 1897, Page 34

THE BED OF STONE CASE.

In view of the dismissal of the protest originally entered by Price, the following evidence given immediately after the Fiual Handicap Trot had been decided at the Canterbury Club's National meeting, and reported in the Canterbury Times, will be of interest :—: —

Pfice, asked by the chairman what ho was protesting for, said it was because Cotton had interfered with him during the race, and also on the grounds of inconsistent running. He said : " Cotton interfered with me the second time rouud at the bottom turn ; he nearly knocked me off the mare ; he knocked my leg. He pulled his mare right in on top of me, and I had to pull up or run on to one of the stakes. I told him to pull out, and I had to do so again at the last turn. His mare broke as she hit me, and I passed him. She hit my mare's legs and they both broke together, but I got dowa the straight in front of him.'' In answer to a steward : I was inside 3nd he was outside ; I could not get out of his road. Steward : It seemed to me that you got the best of this run in, because just aftec you were 20 yards ahead. Price : No, not 20 yards ahead, but I did get the best of the break ; my mare caught the quickest. I d'dn't see bow Bed of Stone could win after her trotting of the last few days ; I didn't think she was going to trot 37eec. A Steward : Cau you bring any evidence in support of your statementa. Yes, I think bo. Dick Hendry will bo one who caw it.

Cotton was then called in, and tho charge was read over to him and the question ssked : How did Linda bump iuto you ?

Cotton : Where was it. Steward : At the bottom turn, Price says. Cotton: Where he bumped into me? He was running wide round the track all the way there. Steward : Ib was at; the corner by the flagstaff you collided. Cotton : I was passing him and my mare broke, and as soon as I pulled her ehe broke in like that. When I got round the home turn Price was riding with his foot right out, and he kicked my mare on the leg and also kicked me. I was comiog round the corner and he was pulling out. Steward : How do you account for the difference in her running ? Cotton : She trots better in saddle than in harness. She never has done anything like that (2min 37^cec) in harness. Steward : What did she win in at Lancaster Park ? Cotton : I think it was 48«ec. Steward : But sh-i was not able to do 2min 50soc on the first day. Cotton : That might bo ; the ground was sloppy, and besides, if (the had nob broke at the home turn I think she would have got second. I had nothing on the mare, but a gentleman put 10s on her for rue. I did not back her. I think it's a joUy shame ; I ran my horse straight. I never was before the stewards of any trotting club before. I never do anything crooked.

Steward : Could you bring some evidence to support your statements ?

Cotton : I daresay I could

Au adjournment was then made until the following Wednesday, when consideration of the protest was adjourned sine die, owing to the meeting having declared that Bed of Stone had no light to compete in the race. ,'