SENSATIONAL DOPING DISCLOSURES FOLLOW N.S.W. POLICE PROBE

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 May 1949, Page 3

SENSATIONAL DOPING DISCLOSURES FOLLOW N.S.W. POLICE PROBE

SYDNEY, May 29.—Although the detectives engaged in probing the activities of what is said to be the largest racehorse doping ring ever discovered in Australian turf history have not yet made a public statement, all the Sydney newspapers feature the story on their front pages. Police sources reveal that last week detectives went aboard a ship about to leave Sydney for South Africa and brought ashore a man with a criminal record. It is believed that this man not only involved himself, but named associates including two chemists, a wellknown Sydney professional man and stable hands in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. After a prolonged interview with the detectives the man was released, but the ship sailed without him. An official who saw the large file of evidence collected about the gang said that, in comparison, Nat Gould’s best racecourse thriller was dwarfed to the category of an infants’ primer. Over £200,000 is believed to have been won by members of the ring in the past two years. One man is stated to have paid stable hands £5O either to administer drugs to a horse or to allow someone else to do so. When necessary, one of the leaders would administer the drugs. Well-known trainers and stable employees not associated with the ring are assisting the police in the case. The inquiries may throw new light on the disqualifications of Banta, Montclair and the former New Zealander Frontal Attack.