ANOTHER MIXED RECEPTION

Southland Times, Issue 23741, 13 February 1939, Page 6

ANOTHER MIXED RECEPTION

Royal Chief’s Win At Wingatui

SUCCESS IN HAZLETT GOLD CUP (From Our Own Reporter) DUNEDIN, February 12. When Royal Chief returned to the birdcage after winning the James Hazlett Gold Cup at Wingatui yesterday there was a mild demonstration, which was continued until the horses had left the birdcage, against the winner. A small section of the crowd rushed the enclosure and there were cries of “Put him out,” “What happened in the Dunedin Cup,” “Forbury Park has nothing on you.” When the president, Mr A. C. Hanlon, was presenting the gold cup to the owner of the winner, an attempt was made to drown his speech, by booing and hooting. The demonstration was a mild one compared with that shown against Parisienne when she won at Forbury Park a fortnight ago. While a section 'of the crowd was hostile yesterday, their opinion was not general and the merit of Royal Chief’s winning performance in the Hazlett Gold Cup was appreciated by just as many. In the Dunedin Cup, run over one mile and a-half, Royal Chief was sent out a firm favourite, but he was beaten at the top of the straight, _ and was actually last to finish, his rider, B. H. Morris, not persevering with him over the last two furlongs. In yesterday’s race, run over a mile, he stayed on in a close finish to beat Queen of Song, ijhe Dunedin Cup winner, by a neck. TRAINER’S STATEMENT Before yesterday’s race, the stipendiary steward (Mr C. F. Hartland) handed to the Press a statement, which was also broadcast on the course, about Royal Chief’s running in the Dunedin Cup. It read Mr F. D. Jones, trainer of Royal Chief, requested leave to make a statement to the Judicial Committee expressing his disappointment at the running of Royal Chief in the Dunedin Cup. This was done and the committee is having it broadcast so that the public may know the position today. “Mr Jones stated that up to the time of the race Royal Chief had done everything he had been asked to do for his cup preparation and went to the post apparently in a fit condition. He went well up to three furlongs from home when B. H. Morris (rider of Royal Chief) started to move on him but after going a furlong he faded, and although hard ’■ ridden he finished last. He was perfectly satisfied with Morris’s handling of the horse. On Friday morning when going out to work he noticed a mark on his near fetlock which had apparently been done by the horse striking himself during the running. He is apparently in good condition for his race today. “Morris stated to the committee that the horse did well until he was

asked to go up to the leaders at the turn but he failed to respond.” Yesterday’s demonstration was similar to, but smaller than, that at Forbury Park a fortnight earlier. In the Dunedin Trotting Cup, the favourite, Parisienne, finished last on the Thursday and won the Metropolitan Handicap on the Saturday. In Thursday’s Dunedin Cup, Royal Chief, also favourite, finished last and yesterday won the Hazlett Gold Cup.