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Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 38

ANENT THAT "UNWARRANTABLE ATTACK."

The foot-note of the editor of the Witness (defining the distinction between newspaper "argument" and "abuse") to the letter which appeared — presumably irom Sydney — in the issue of March 23, relative to a so-styled " unwarrantable attack" I had made on Mr F. F. Dakin in my " Sporting Notes from Australia" published on February 23, to a, great extent removes from me- the necessity of referring -to the matter again. In justice to n.j-Felf, however, I will 'make some remarks thereanent. My object in directing attention, to the fact of there being such a pronounced manifestation amongst Victorian owners and trainers with respect to Mr F. F. Dakin handieppping at every available suburban meeting, as to call for special comment from the sporting editors of the Melbourne morning papers, wa*> to point out the other side of the question to that presented by those writers. According to tho tenor of their remarks, the dissatisfaction only existed amongst the "ropers" and "rampers'' of the Victorian turf, who were stated to be afraid of their nefarious schemes being brought to noiight through the appointment of the V.R.C. • handicapper as iipportioner of weights at their erstwhile '"happy hunting grounds." To the "initiated " huch a contention was the veriest nonsense, as, bad as matters undoubtedly are at times on suburban courses in Victoria with regurd to "stiff" running going unwhipt of justice either by stewards or handicappers, they are infinitely and lamentably worse at both Caulfield and Flemington. These latter are the places where the mo3t flagrant cases of turf fraud (not to say villainy) are passed over either without offiiial comment, or (if aotion should be rendered compulsory through tha extraordinary audacity 'with which tho affair has been carried out) the stereotyped "explanation deemed satisfactory" being invariably the only outcome of an inquiry. Per contra, in their own little tinpot (as compared with the " brazen " vessel of the two larger racing corporations) way, the aruch-abused suburban fctewards do makt some sort* of an. effort to purify the vitiated turf atmosphere occasionally — as witness the action of the Aspendale Park stewards last Saturday, when they dealt out Jedburgh justice — in the chape of a two years' disqualification — to P. O'Dwyer (owner), J. O'Dwyer (trainer), and a grey gelding named Criterion foi highly suspicious circumstances in connection with his movements both in the betting market and the race (a Trial Handicap, won by a filly named Maritana, said to be in the same- interest). In, stating that there was a question of far greater moment even than that connected with tho advocacy of the Argus and the Age for Mr F. F. Dakin to be appointed handicapper at all suburban meetings, I quoted the recent ultimatum of the highest turf authority in the world— the English Jockey Club— to the effect that that body was not only decidedly opposed to the same handicapper always officiating at tho same place, but had actually legislated^against such a possibility. Incidentally, also, I made reference to the manifest unfairness — and in. these hard times, absolute injustice— of $1110

big handicap rod swallowing up all the little handicap rods ; and am specially pleased to be* able to inform you, in this connection, that the authorities at Epsom and Aspendale Park, have marked their disapproval of such a course of procedure; Mr A. F. Bradshaw receiving the appointment at Aspendale Park, whilst Mr G. Vowles has consented to resume the position at Epsom and Mentone. Whilst pointing out the position according to my views, -if I nothing extenuated, I can conscientiously avow that neither did I set down aught ,in malice. But the experience of "Hidalgo" in America (as expressed in the fifth paragraph of his article on "The Bruce Lowe Theory," which appeared in the Witness of 30th ult.) has been the experience of " Hori Poene " (and sometimes " Nunquani Pormio "_ the original) -' in Australia — writing one's free and honest opinions does not' conduce towards amassing a competency. As Mr "J. B. Clark " expresses it in a communication to me which lies before jne as I write — "The majority of turf, officials like a servile press/ and curse the ■writer -who says truth and justice should, prevail." That Mr F.F. 'Dakin has had a long and varied experience of horse-racing in Victoria no one can .possibly gainsay. But — "there are others," some of -whom Jiave h s ad equally . as lengthened an experience, some longer and even', more varied. With respect to, Mr F F. Dakin' s connection with the Australian " Stud Book," the compiler, Mr Archie Yuille, has in each volume, where the same has been accorded, acknowledged the value of the assistance .rendered. As an old (perchance somewhat too old, in the opinion of some) pressman myself I have not to tax my memory to 'any very great extent to recall the time when Mr F. F,. Dakin contributed to the sporting press (under a norn de plume) in the columns of the Weekly Times> and— still more recently — to the pages of a leading Victorian hybrid under tho aegis of the all mighty " we " itself. But I must certainly plead guilty to my memory being sadly defective with regard' to that gentleman ever having had any connection at all— even the alightest— with the training of either Lo Loup, Darriwell, Guesswork, Bassanio, Baron Yon Mueller, Tyropean, or Kewminster— perchance because, en the Flemington training track, it always presented itself to my visual organs as if. Mr W. E. Dakin had whole and sole charge 6f those notabilities in their various eras. However, such matters are totally outside the question as to tho desirability of any one individual "if 111 ?, allowed to pose ant the "be-all" and the end-all" of handicapping in Victoria. As a mere matter of fact, and altogether apart from the " candied tongues" of professional mends and time-serving clacqueurs, Mr F F D«kin may be "second to none" as a trainer and a handicapper. But even if this be so. **""*?, n< U oglcal reason why a number of reputable Victorian owners and trainers who would like to experience what they may consider t& be the benefit of a variety of ideas with respect , to the relative merits of their horses should be stigmatised and held up to public scorn as " go-as-you-rlease turf tricksters/ I cieny that I made auv " attack." I simply published irrefutable facts* in order to defend a number of worthy individuals (many of.them cherished personal friends) who— evpft JSlviT SBeS ?e £. ° f all tho r ei^«e pluck and ibihty-nught not have been afforded an opportunity to publish a protest against vile insinuation and dastardly calumny Bainßll vlle