WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1500, 23 January 1919, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

Wellington Turf Sensation—Disqualification of Prominent The Wellington Racing Club’s Summer Meeting. WELLINGTON, Monday. The news of the disqualification for two years of the well-known and popular Feilding sportsman, Mr. Ernest Short, by the District Committee of the Wellington Racing Club has been the chief topic of conversation in racing circles during the past few days. The alleged incident which led to the disqualification of this prominent North Island owner occurred in connection with the running of his horse Demos at the races held at Trentham on October 26, 1918. when it was alleged by jockey H. Young that Mr. Short had given him (Young) instructions not to win the Shorts Handicap on Demos. As events turned out Demos duly won, with the result that something that came to the ears of the stewards of the W.R.C. necessitated their making inquiries, as a consequence of which Mr. Short has been disqualified from racing for a period of two years. The matter is a grave one. Something more will assuredly be heard of the case. Counsel who was acting for Mr. Short was refused admittance to the inquiry, a customary course with most stewards. In the above connection, in conversation with the writer, a leading racing authority expressed the opinion that Mr. Short’s disqualification would shake the foundation of racing in New Zealand as it was quite apparent to those intimately acquainted with the business that the sport of kings required some uplifting in this country. Whether the statements alleged to have been made by Mr. Short in connection with the running of Demos are admitted or not the fact remains that the colt won. In fairness to Mr. Short it must be said that he has always

been prominent in patriotic matters, his benefactions amounting to a large sum, while the gift of his racehorse Hastie to be raffled for the Returned Soldiers’ Hostel affords further proof of his generosity. A large hearted and kindly man, Mr. Short has many friends, who sympathise with him in his present predicament. Immediately on hearing the decision, Mr. Short lodged the necessary security for an appeal to the Racing Conference. Capital nominations have been received for the summer meeting of the Egmont Racing Club, which takes place at Hawera on February 12 and 13, all the principal stables being well represented. Weights are due on February 8. The Wellington Racing Club’s summer meeting, which opens at Trentham on Wednesday, will be brought to a conclusion on Saturday next. With the first day’s form as a guide, backers should have a better opportunity of showing a profit after their afternoon’s encounter with the totalisator.

Arch Lassie, who was recently trained at Ellerslie by F. Stenning, the well-known Greenlane trainer, is now an inmate of C. Pritchard’s stable at Trentham. The filly will be amongst the runners at the Wellington Racing Club’s meeting this week.

Sir George Clifford is represented by a useful team at Trentham, the list including Macduff, Heathercote, Lionskin, Miss Mimic and Sir Fanciful. The bearers of the light blue and gold chequers all looked well to the eye when viewed by the writer on the tracks, and they should fare well during the progress of the two days’ racing. Mr. A. J. Toxward, of Lady Lucy Lodge, Kairanga, has a fine specimen of the thoroughbred in the imported Bonny Briar (Bona RoseSpring Briar), who is built on unmistakeable galloping lines. The three-year-old filly claims engagements at Trentham this week.

Mr. A. McDonald, of Ngakonui fame, is well represented at the local meeting. In Affectation, Murihiku and Rose Wreath the sportsman named has a trio of promising juveniles. Rose Wreath looks like turning out very useful. She is by Kilbroney from Christmas Rose, and can go fast over a short course. Hurry Up (Advance — Moutiti) promises to be a warm order for the Douro Cup, to be run on Saturday. The three-year-old can gallop to some purpose.

Zabism, who was named by the writer after she was purchased by Mr. Truman, formerly of the Carlton Club Hotel, Hastings, promises to make good on the turf. The nomenclature of this five-year-old mare makes interesting reading, and, provided she lives up to the appellation, she should bring owner-trainer Tom Higgins, of Opaki, many successes. She will be amongst the runners at Trentham.