I THREE DISQUALIFIED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 143, 18 June 1936, Page 4

I THREE DISQUALIFIED

| WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE SCALLYWAG'S YE AB INTERESTING RECORD .'Spectators who attended th-e Wanganui Jockey Club’s winter meeting of 1900 had their full share of sensations, for the big cross-country event on the opening day was full of incident. Eight contestants started, but the lirst three horses to pass the judge were later disqualified, the fourth and fifth horses securing the major honours. The records show that th e starters in the race were Black Dust and The Guard (bracketed), Light, Tataramc-a, Cuckoo and Claymore. The finish was of no interest to Cuckoo, who fell and was killed. Black Dust finished first and was followed past the post by Tataramoa and Claymore, with Scallywag fourth and Whangaroa fifth. As <*tie three placed horses had taken the wrong course the stewards awarded first place to Scallywag and the second place to Whangaroa. The winner raced in Mr. H. D. Morrison's colours ami was ridden at 9.8 by D. Hands. F. Cocnraue was on Whangaroa. who carried 11.0, and "Was owned by Air. T. Scott. The dividend associated with Scallywag’s succesful placing was just short of double figures—certainly a plcasai-.t surprise for those backers who at one stage had given up all hope cf getting a return for their investments, especially as there was do second dividend. In passing, it may be mentioned that Tataramoa made amends by winning the Grandstand Steeplechase on the second day, and Scallywag won the Final Steeplechase, thus completing a nice double for the meeting. Mr. J. Bud that day won the Hunters' Hurdles with Amethyst, and Mr. G. M. Currie, inter to achieve fame as studmaster of Koatanui, provided the winner of the First Hack Hurdle in Whetu, which was ridden by W. Higgin>. Perhaps patrons at the 19J6 meeting may not be provided with the thrills of nearly two decades ago, but there are sure to be many present who- will recall the incidents detailed above. It would, however, be scarcely fair to pass over mention or Scallywag without recalling a couple of his later efforts. Two years after the incident of the disqualification of the placed horses .Scallywag ran home first in the Grandstand Steeplechase of 1902 and also carried off the Final Steeplechase. Back he came to Wanganui the following year to repeat his Grandstand | Steeplechase win. this time carrying I 11.6 to victory, but on the second day I c-f the meeting had to strike his colours to Awahuri in the Wanganui Steeplechase. Certainly Scallywag’s record in I connection with steeplechase events on | t/he Wanganui course deserves a little j more than mere passing mention.