ALLEGED CROOKED RUNNING AT ELLERSLIE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 932, 16 January 1908, Page 5

ALLEGED CROOKED RUNNING AT ELLERSLIE.

There is an old saying that there is no smoke without fire, and the truth of it may be accepted as an axiom. Whether, however, the many rumours current as to much alleged crooked running at Ellerslie during the recent meeting have any basis of fact remains to be proved. That such rumours are current cannot for a moment be gainsaid, but their origin is difficult to trace. Among those owners, the doings of whose horses have been questioned by these unknown critics, is Mr. James Roulston, who, however, refuses to sit down under the gratuitous insult put uP? n and in this issue writes offering his detractor £2O to come forward and prove the truth, if it exists of the accusation. He is also auiry at the hands of the A.R.C. com mßtee The particular race in quesUonTs said to be the cap which was won by King Billy, in which some critics appear to conSXT Now, £« “ “a" a S Xt a e it affairs •spent m finding Pu kekohe sportsfr°“ rumours other haph" « enauW, 'though we tear itfa too late to really discover the exact have of blindness, w 6^? e99 ’ we think the objectionable thi re&pect . g very leaven of truth “. e the |&tewards small mdeed ’ lv handicapped is in are tremendously h stand, from the position of. the t i£J which it is.imposmbto to 3 This is happening in the straight.

the reason keen punters often notice queer tactics on the part of horsemen, the same being unseen by the ruling powers. One of these days, when the committee take our advice and erect a skeleton steel structure near the bandstand from which the stewards can really see a race, we shall not have so much said about unchecked crooked running. But at the present there is no disguising the fact that these nasty rumours are being freely bruited about, and we think the A.R.C. might do worse than look into the matter and thus allay public uneasiness.

THE RECENT A.R.C. MEETING.

Ever since the recent A.R.C. meeting was held the air has been thick with rumours of alleged crooked running at Ellerslie. Among those who one would have thought were quite exempt from suspicion is that good sportsman, Mr. James Roulston, of Pukekohe. Evidently this bas not

'been the case, as the following letter from Mr. Roulston will show: — To the Editor.

Sir, —As some very unfavourable comments have been made on the running of my horses at the recent summer meeting, I think it is only fair to myself and the public that it should be inquired into. One of the croakers has written rie an anonymous and scurrilous letter to the effect that both my horses were deliberately pulled in some of their 'races at Ellerslie, and if I was a party to it I should be disqualified for life. In the latter instance I am with him, but as we live in an English colony we do not hang people before being tried. In the present instance I court an inquiry, and further, I am prepared to pay one hundred pounds to any charitable institution in Auckland if any boy who has ridden for me can prove that his instructions were any other than “ Win if you can.” Surely this man who signs himself as “ Keen Observer” will be manly enough to come forward and substantiate the vile assertions he ha,s made against the boys and myself.

Now, “ Mr. Keen Observer,” to show you that I am in earnest, I shall place a cheque for twenty pounds in any respectable trainer’s hands at Ellerslie, and if the opinion or the stewards of the A.R.C. you prove a case of corrupt practice against either of the boys riding for mu, or myself, the money will be yours. Surely this twenty pounds will compensate you for the few hours you spent at the investigation, as well as pay you back the few shillings you lost on my horses, which you assert were running stiff. If you succeed in proving your case I consider the twenty pounds I am paying you has been the best investment I have made for many years, inasmuch as it will be an eye-opener to myself and every horse-owner throughout New Zealand. In conclusion, “ Keen Observer,” it will be for you to intimate your willingness through the press to accept this challenge, otherwise we cannot go on. Prove yonrse]' a man for once and

give me a chance to vindicate my character to the public. At your instigation I shall ask for a meeting of stewards of the A.R.C. to hear the case, when I hope every opportunity will be given you to prove it. I should really ignore any writer who has not the backbone to sign his name, but the foregoing reply is an exception to the rule. Anticipating an eany reply from “ Keen Observer” through the medium of your columns, thanking you for the insertion in your paper.—l am, etc., JAMES ROULSTON. Belmont Pukekohe, January 11, 1908. P.S. —Should “ Keen Observer” not be man enough to come forward, the offer I make him will hold good to any other person who can prove the charge.

THE OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB.

The summer meeting of the Otahuhu Trotting Club will take place on Saturday, Wednesday, and Saturday, February 8, 12, and 15. A very good programme is put forward for the

consideration of owners, all classes of horses being catered for, while the prize money is liberal. On the opening day the chief items are the Otahuhu Trotting Cup of lOOsovs, two miles, and the Otahuhu Pony Cup of 50sovs, Q l / 2 furlongs. On the second day the Summer Trot of 50sovs, 2 miles, and the High-class Trot of 40 sovs, are the best-endowed events. On the concluding day the Criterion Trot of 50sovs, 2 miles, the February Trot of 40sovs, one mile, and the Dash Trot of 40sovs, one mile, carry most money. The programme in full will be found in our advertising columns. Mr. Fred. Yonge, the secretary, notifies those interested that nominations for all events close at the office, Durham-street, on Friday, January 24, at 9 p.m.

THE WELLINGTON PONY AND GALLOWAY RACING CLUB.

This newly-formed club will hold its inaugural meeting at Miramar on Saturday, February 22. The programme will consist of six events, these being the Initial Scurry of 20 sovs, 4 furlongs; Maiden Pony Race of 18sovs, 5 furlongs; Miramar Cup of 40sovs, 6 furlongs; Kilbirnie Handicap of 20sovs, 6 furlongs; Tradesmen’s Handicap of 15sovs, 5 furlongs; and Farewell Handicap of 25sovs, 4 iurlongs. The doings of the club will be watched with considerable interest in all the centres, because, if a success is made, it is fairly certain that others will follow suit. Just at first there may be a shortage of ponies, but the demand will soon bring about the supply. Owners who intend giving the new club a good send-off should bear in mind that Mr. P. P. Bigwood, the secretary, will take nominations up till 9 p.m. on V\ ednesday, February 5.