PROTESTS. BEFORE THE RACE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 50

PROTESTS. BEFORE THE RACE.

In referring to the Macleay ringing-in case, which occurred recently iv South Australia, the Sydney Town and Country Journal said 1 : — The frequent cases of "ringingin" lately have brought about a discussion as to how the money should go. The majority hold the opinion that in cases such as that of Macleay, which occurred recently at Adelaide, backers should receive their money if the protest was not entered prior to the race. The snorting w liters on this

paper Imp advocated «uch a =3 stem for yoais pat>l. Those who argue the oihcr side, do so on the grounds that by paying tho money out in this May the wrongtlocis sain their ends. Perhaps so, but then, making laws, we must think of the many, and not of the few. It is the public 'that keep tho great raco game going. They are the fiist wo have to think of. Now, in the case of Macleay, the horse had raced previously, and no doubt scores of pcop'e backed him on the day that he won. They knew nothing about his being ineligible. Now, we have a pretty good knowledge of racing, and are certain of this fact — "That there never has been a proto-t entered agamst a horse for being incorrectly nominated but what the protestor was well aware of the fact befcre. the race." Now, if the horse is incorrectly entered or not eligible to race, then his backers have no chance to win. and should be made aware of the fact. If the horse is disqualified, then the fairest way to backers would be to declare all bets off. If that were done, then a wrong is being perpcira'ted on the bookmaker, who is also entitled to fair considerat on. Strange to say, it was in South Australia that this question fiist arose, some five-and-twenty years ago, or perhaps more. After giving the matter a lot of consideration, the committee of the club, or chairman — we are not sure which — decided that the stakes should 1 be paid to tho second horse, but bets go to the backers of the animal first pa^t the pest. The verdict was given on tho ground that trio person who entered the protest was fully cognisant of the facts before the race, and should have put in the protest before the start, and thus have made the public fully aware of tho facts. With this decieion wo quite agree, though by it the principal offenders gain their end.