D. J. PRICE CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20310, 21 May 1934, Page 10

D. J. PRICE CASE.

Sympathy Was With Trainer Who Won His Appeal. HORSE IMPROVED SUDDENLY. Full details of the case in which the New Zealander D.J. Price was disqualified for two years at Woodend, Victoria, do not render it surprising that the disqualification was lifted on appeal. Dandalla, the horse concerned in this disqualification at Woodend on April 26, was one of two yearlings picked nearly two years ago as likely to develop staying form with experience. His owner, Mr F. W. Kitchen, had owned a useful stayer in Price’s stable in Tookarby in years gone by, and hoped that Dandalla would, if given time, develop stamina, too. So there was no hurry in racing him. lie was broken in as a 3-earling soon after his purchase in Sydney in 1932, and then straightway turned out in the paddock to develop. There he remained for nearly eighteen months. It was only last January that he came into training again. He did no fast gallop of any decent account at Caulfield, where Price trained his horses. But, in order to get him used to the business of racing, travelling, facing the barrier, etc., he was given a start at Pakenham, and then another at Mornington, both being provincial courses not very far from Melbourne. In neither of these was he fancied, nor did he reveal anything that indicated he had yet developed the capacity of a racehorse. Complete Surprise. If he had, connections, of course, could have stepped in at a long price and cleaned up a handsome coup when he went to Woodend on April 26. The instructions to the jockey, S. Tomison, were to jump him out and bustle him along to ascertain if he had any pace at all. If he showed no sign of coming on, he was not to be knocked about in a hopeless attempt to win. There were no expectations that he was equal to even gaining a place, and consequently he was a complete outsider so far as the betting ring, the public or the connections were concerned. Strangely enough, when Tomison kicked into him at the start, he leapt off smartly, as if to the manner born, took charge for a while, then eased, but came again, and was beaten a half head at the finish. As they passed the post, Elliott, on the winner, turned and offered to “ save a quid.” Tomison refused. He thought Dandalla had won. Trier for Big Coups. These particulars are taken from an article in “Smith’s Weekly” by C. JGraves. Writing before the lifting of the disqualification, he states that during a visit to Melbourne he heard much sympathy expressed for Price. It seemed to be generally conceded tha t Price and the jockey (S. Tomison) were victims of circumstance. Mr Graves continues: “Dave Price, the trainer concerned, is sixty-eight years old. He has a somewhat remarkable record on the Australian turf for his attempts a-t big coups on the notable events, but he has been unlucky. Consequently he hasn’t accumulated wealth. Instead, he has been a friend of the battler, and if he had a loaf, was prepared always to give half to anybody in need. It is significant of his eagerness to stand four-square in the turf world that some years ago he contracted a liability of £3OOO. He had paid off practically all except an infinitesimal portion, despite generous tufts to so many who had asked his help ” Price and the Newsboy. Years ago D. J. Price was in the habit of always buying his evening paper from the same young boy who sold outside Phair’s Hotel in Collins Street. The. smartness and keenness of the boy impressed Price, who questioned him as to what he would like to do when he grew up. The boy named an occupation, and Price arranged for him to go to night classes at the Working Men’s College, Melbourne, paying the cost. It would be interesting to know what use the boy has made of the chance thus given him by a generous-hearted racing man. IN AUSTRALIA. N.Z. Horses Succeed. United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copvright. SYDNEY, May 19. At the Rosehill meeting, the principal events resulted as follows: TRIAL STAKES, of 150 sovs. One mile. UPOKO ARIKT. Mr J. T. Jamieson’s cii c by Chief Ruler—Podokes, 3yrs, 7.9 •(Sulliyan) 1 WIN A WIN. Mr J. J. Leahy’s ch h, bv Rossendale—Cereica, 4yrs. 8.5 (Lightfoot) 2 LEONE, Mr J. F. Sheehan’s for in, bv Orby's Pride—Mousquetaire, 6yrs, 8.8 (D. Webb) 3 Eleven horses started. Won by half a neck, with the third horse three lengths away. Time—lmin 40 Jsec. IIURDLE HANDICAP, of 150 sovs. Two NEWBOLD BOY, Mr M. M’Donald’s b g, by Waukenphast—Jeneen, aged. 9.3 (Lillyman) 1 .MOUNT DA NO AR. Mr It. Mead’s blk g, by Cistercian—Canal, aged. 11.0 (M’Manamin) 2 GAY BREEZE. Mr D. Smith’s b g, by Grey Monk—Breeza Maid, aged 9.3 (Aldridge) 3 Seven horses started. Won by a length and a half. Time—3min 4SJsec, a race record. ROSEHILL HANDICAP, of 200 sovs. One mile and a quarter. FORESTRY, Mr F. W. Thatcher’s ch g, by Limond—Forest Girl, 6yrs. 7.13 (Bartle) 1 LE LEGION, Mr J. Carr’s ch g, by Legionnaire—La Benos, syrs, 8.5 (Sullivan) 2 MAGNAVER. Mr R. Wootton’s b g, by Magpie—Ednaver, aged, 7.0 (Parsons) 3 Nine horses started. Won by two lengths, with third horse a length and a half away. Jamieson’s stable hoped for a field dav with four starters and scored with Upoko Ariki and Forestry. Sipal was unluckily defeated in the Juvenile Handicap, running third, while High Degree just missed a place in the Welter Handicap. Forestry is top weight, in the Newcastle Cup, to be run next Saturday. NEW ASHBURTON STAND. It has been apparent for some time that more stand accommodation was required on the Ashburton course. The committees of the Ashburton County Racing Club and the Ashburton Trotting Club have had this subject under consideration lately, and it is proposed to erect a more commodious and up-to-date grandstand. It is hoped that the new building will be completed in time for use early next season.