RACE DECLARED VOID SIX FURLONGS INSTEAD OF FIVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 142, 6 September 1927, Page 10

RACE DECLARED VOID SIX FURLONGS INSTEAD OF FIVE

I There was a surprising sequel to the Rutherglen Maiden Plate, a fivefurlong race at Hamilton Park, Lanarkshire, Scotland, recently. There were only four runners, and the race was won by Mr. A. Hood’s Royal Buzzard, trained by Dobson i Peacock at Middleham. and ridden by Joe Taylor. After the jockey had I returned to weigh in there were soon rumours to the effect that something was wrong, and to the consternation of everyone the stewards declared the race void, owing to the fact that “the horses had run six furlongs instead of live.” A mistake on the card was apparently responsible for the error, as the distance was given as both five and six furlongs. Mr. L. L. Firth, the starter, working from the wrong caption on the card, started the field from the six furlongs post. When the objection was made at the conclusion of the race, the evidence of the starter practically settled the issue, as he agreed that the horses had travelled six furlongs, the distance of the race, according to the Racing Calendar, being five furlongs. Rule 141 of Rules of Racing states: “If a race has been run by all the horses at wrong weights, or over a wrong course or distance, or before the appointed time, or if the judge is not in the box at the time the horses pass the winning post, the stewards shall order the race to be run again the same day if practicable, but, if otherwise, it shall be void.” v Two-year-olds, however, are not allowed to run again.