A TURF SCANDAL.
ALLEGED IMPUDENT SWINDLE. HOW A DISHONEST BOOKIE WAS " TAKEN DOWN." AND HOW THE FAVORITE CAME TC WIN. Melbourne, Dec. 4. The Age states that a story of a very scandalous nature has been current in Bporting circles for some weeks past, imputing tc a well-known bookmaker a villainous attempt to stiffen a horse engaged at tho recent V.R.C. spring meeting. Though the statement is of a very circumstantial character the precise details the papers have refrained giving publication to for some time in full expectation that the V.R.C. would take'the matter up. Briefly, it is alleged that the owner of a first-class performer, having experienced a misfortune during the eaily part of the meeting suggested to tho bookmaker that for a certain large sum, which he specified, he was prepared to allow the bookmaker to drug the horse to prevent him winning the following day. The bookmaker promptly acquiesced, and under his own supervision a ball was prepared in the city, and together the pair journeyed to Flemincton. The owner, however, had taken the precaution to acquaint his trainer with the game afoot, and instructions were given that paint should be applied to another horse in the stable so that he should resemble the intended victim. The deception succeeded, and the bookmaker handed over the promised cheque in the paddock. When the race in which tho drugged favorite competed came on thero was no more desperate fielder thau tho bookmaker under notice. His fellow puncillers stared in astonishment at his reckless wagering, but whispering a friendly word in the ears of his fellow ringmen, the secret was quickly understood, and point by point the favorite lengthened. The more money then went on as the more Tenturesome the bookmakers became. The race was run, and the favorite triumphed. The paper concludes that the attention of the V.R.C. has now been pointedly directed to what appears to be one of the biggest scandals perpetrated in connection with the Victorian turf for a long time. An inquiry will probably follow.
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Bibliographic details
Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7794, 5 December 1896, Page 3
Word Count
340A TURF SCANDAL. Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7794, 5 December 1896, Page 3
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