DRAMA OF STOLEN HORSE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16320, 2 January 1924, Page 6

DRAMA OF STOLEN HORSE.

A OLEVER SWINDLE

THIEVES WIN A FORTUNE

SYDNEY, Deo. 20.—Like a chapter from one of Nat Gould's famous books is the story of how the Woorak colt, Kel Owi, was stolen from his and, under a false name, scooped the pool at a country meeting. The story comes to light through a decision by the A.J.O. yesterday that neither Mr, R. \V. Muckinnon, the owner of Kel Owi, nor the horse are to be penalised because of this remarkable escapade. Kel Owi was formerly raced by Sir Samuel Hordern, a member of the A.J.C. committee, lie purchased him as a yearling for 810 guineas, but, though raced for a few years,'ho proved a disappointment. He was very fast over a short distance, but could not quite stay six furlpngs. A little more than a year ago Sir Samuel Hordern sold him to Mr. It. W. Mackinnoir* for 530 guineas. Mr. Mackirmon hoped to have better luck, b.ut he found that he. had to spell the horse, and 1 urned him out in a paddock at Adelong, in the south of tho State. Here tho horse was resting in luxury when "the villain" entered. It is not hard to imagine scheming minds at work resulting in the theft of the racehorse. Kel Owi was taken away to another district and given a few surreptitious gallops. He did not require much to fit him for a country race- meeting, and he was entered at a certain town under another name.

Tlie first event in which he appeared in would have been an easy victory, but the schemers wanted something hotter. He was not a trier in that race, for he showed nothing of his unusual speed; Later in the day he was saddled up for another race, and this time there was no mistake. Rough and a bit heavy as he looked, he led all tho way and won pulling up/ lie had been backed in every quartet', and after the "owner" collected the town saw him no more. i

But among the crowd that day was someone who suspected that something was amiss. He had a dim recollection of having seen that racehorse before. So ho communicated with the authorities, and the strange chestnut was proved to be |\el Owi. although by this time the horse was back in his paddock. Mr. Mackinnon placed all the facts before the A.J.C. committee, and when the matter Mas considered yesterday the committee had no hesitation in clearing him of any blame. *