"OUT” FOR SIX MONTHS CLIFFORD’S SUSPENSION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 3, 5 January 1944, Page 6

"OUT” FOR SIX MONTHS CLIFFORD’S SUSPENSION

INCIDENT AT STRATFORD One “incident” which marred the opening day of the Stratford Racing Club's summer meeting, on New Year’s Day, appeared to have been concluded late in the day, but. it is understood that more may yet be heard of it. In the meantime L. H. Clifford, who rode the Eltham Highweight Handicap winner, Llandine, has been suspended for six months, and the Wanganui jockey, K. Chote, rider of the runner-up, Balblair, was fined £25. However, backers of Llandine received their totalisator dividends, and if rumour is correct this decision to pay cut was also welcomed in other quarter*. In the meantime, pending an appeal, the Stratford Racing Club may not pay out the stake-money involved, and it would not be surprising if further action was taken.

At the start of the race Hogarth received a bad knock, and that caused most of the field to string out, Llandine gaining a break on the rest. Although hotly challenged by Balblair in the straight, Llandine won, but allegations of interference between L. Clifford, rider of Llandine, and K. Chote, rider of Balblair, were dealt with by the judicial committee. The placings were not altered, but the payout was not made until after the last race.

According to the official statement, as Llandine and Balblair neared the finishing post Chote was observed using his whip around the head of his horse towards Clifford. The stipendiary steward requested an inquiry just after a protest was lodged by Mr. I. Duncan, owner of Balblair. The committee felt that on the evidence available it was impossible to say what had happened between the two jockeys and whether it affected Balblair’s chance. It considered it was not justified in altering the placings, and the protest was dismissed, said Mr. N. H. Moss, vicepresident. of the club and chairman of the judicial committee. Following that the inquiry was adjourned, and when it was resumed the stipendiary steward charged Chote and Clifford with foul riding under Rule 289 and heard additional evidence. After a late sitting in the evening the committee found that Clifford was guilty of foul riding and suspended him for six months. It found as a fact that Cliffordls interference with Balblair by holding Balblair’s reins near the finishing post was deliberate and that Chote’s use of the whip on Clifford was done under extreme provocation to prevent Clifford’s interference, and it dismissed the charge of foul riding against Chote. However, the committee considered that. Chote’s action in using the whip on Clifford, although under provocation, together with a suggestion of crowding by Chote, amounted to misconduct because he was not justified in taking the law into his own hands, and the committee fined him £25.