SAL’S PAL AND SISTER SAL

Southland Times, Issue 25550, 19 December 1944, Page 4

SAL’S PAL AND SISTER SAL

Deregistration Of Two Horses ACTION BY RACING CONFERENCE A sensation was caused in Southland racing circles yesterday when the deregistration of two of Southland’s best handicap horses, Sal’s Pal and Sister Sal, was announced. This action was taken by the president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, Mr H. R. Chalmers, and Mr J. B. Giles, of Makarewa, owner of the two horses, has been notified of the decision. The action of the conference means that both Sal’s Pal and Sister Sal cannot be raced at any meeting, and as far as can be ascertained there is no right of appeal. In a statement to The Southland Times, J. R. Cochrane, of Gore, trainer of the two horses, said that both horses were bought two and a-half years ago by Mr Giles and that the action of the conference was apparently taken because of an irregularity in the transfer of ownership. The horses were bred by the late Mr E. C. Govan and jointly owned by their breeder and Mrs E. C. McKenzie, a sister of Mr Giles. Mr Giles bought both horses for £4OO. They were both unbroken and untried at the time. 'Since the sale of the horses Mr Govan had died, and Mrs McKenzie had married an Invercargill man who had been convicted of bookmaking. “This seems to be the reason why their present owner is being victimized,” added Cochrane. “As far as we are able to establish there is no right of appeal.” “COMPLETE SURPRISE” “The notification came as a complete surprise,” continued Cochrane, who added that he had been aware that an inquiry was being made and during that time both he and the owner had given every assistance possible. “There seems nothing that we can do about it and I intend sending both horses to Mr Giles tomorrow so that he can turn them out on his farm,” he concluded. When Mr Giles, owner of the two horses, was asked if he had any comment to make, he said that the conference decision was absolutely the most unfair action of which he had ever heard. “I don’t even get a chance to appeal,” he added. “It seems unjust that I should be treated in this manner because my sister married a man convicted of bookmaking. The statement made by my trainer, Cochrane, is quite correct,” he added. The first action the Racing Conference president took under this new rule was when the registration of three horses, Salmi, Kinsman and Hinepo, owned by Mr H. Brickman, of Marton; was cancelled. An injunction seeking to restrain the conference president acting under this new rule was heard in the Supreme Court by Mr Justice Blair, who gave his judgment in favour of the Racing Conference. “All persons who take advantage of the opportunities provided for racing horses and winning prizes thereat know what are the terms and conditions laid down in the Rules of Racing, and by entering and taking advantage of those opportunities they elect to be bound by all such rules,” stated Mr Justice Blair in his finding. “All horse owners are well aware of the important powers conferred upon the conference officers, and all honourable racehorse owners are well content absolutely to rely upon their justice and fairness.” RULES AMENDED Provision for the president of the New Zealand Racing Conference to cancel the registration of any horse is a new procedure in the history of racing in New Zealand. At the annual New Zealand Racing Conference last July the Rules of Racing were amended to read “that the president may in his absolute discretion cancel the registration of any horse affected in accordance with the rules.” Tire effect of this amendment is that any horse, the registration of which has been cancelled by the conference president, is prohibited from being on any course or training track under the jurisdiction of any affiliated racing club and is ineligible to be entered for or started in any race. Sal’s Pal and Sister Sal have been two of the best handicap horses in Southland during the past two seasons. Sal’s Pal has been spelling since he contested the New Zealand Cup last month, and it was not intended to race him for some time. Sister Sal has been nominated for the open races at the holiday meetings. Sal’s Pal, who is now in his fifth year, has won five races and been placed five times for £1365 in stakes to date. His successes included the President’s Handicap at Gore on Labour Day. Sister Sal has won eight races and been three times placed for £1761 in stakes, her successes including the Winton Cup and the Gore Racing Club Handicap. Both Sal’s Pal and Sister Sal were bred by the late Mr E. C. Govan, their dam, Waiau Maid, having produced another good winner in Benbecula. Waiau Maid is a member of one of the best racing families in Southland. She was sired by Paladin from Te Anau Maid, the dam of Salmo Salar, Milford, Solanu, Lockend, Sir Denis and others. Te Anau Maid was got by Benzonian from Sister Francis, by Seaton Delaval, a line which has produced many fine winners. A Press Association message received last evening also announced the deregistration of Salmi, Hinepo and Kinsman (owned by Mr H. Brickman, of Masterton), and Saludos and Corondal (owned by Mrs D. Levin, of Wellington).