STARTING AT POTHER'S PADDOCK

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 250, 9 May 1895, Page 8

STARTING AT POTHER'S PADDOCK

The ’following ‘letter ‘has -been handed >to us for publication: — Gentlemen of the A.T.C., —I beg to enter=my strong protest the unfair start ing 'in '.the trotting races atyourmeeting oriSaturday’the 4th inst. In the Easter Handicap Trot my horse, Duke C, was on the 3.6 sec mark.. I6sec behind the limit horse, .My horse, Duke C, .was not_.permitted to start until.2ssec behind the limit horse. In the Harness Trot the limit was 48sec.; Three Cheers, the scratch‘horse, was started 36sec behind the limit horse. This matter has been going on for. some considerable time, but was more glaring than usual on Saturday. ..At your previous meeting, in the Harness Trot, Charlie was started about a chain in front of the post and 6sec before his time, When this occurred at .the first few meetings, myself and many others put it down to inexperience on the part of the starter, but now it has gone so far that the .matter calls for investigation. A prompt, searching inquiry by those who are no.t.in any way inter estedi n the races or horses will oblige* . Yours faithfully, , j .. Geo. ‘Mcßride. 3?.S. —A s this.matter is of great public Importance I shall send a copy of this letter and other corr spondence on this matter to the SportingBevieW, Star, Her aid eenA. Weekly Press. I and others are prepared to give evidence on oath, >if necessary. .. 'G. Mcß. [2We do not in any way associate ourselves with the views of our correspondent. ..And from our own opinion formed through having seen the starting during the whole season, we feel quite assured that it is conducted with absolute impartiality. —Ed. S.R.]