CONCLUDING DAY’S RACES AT WINGATUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1505, 27 February 1919, Page 9

CONCLUDING DAY’S RACES AT WINGATUI.

DEMONSTRATION AGAINST STARTER.

In connection with the concluding day’s racing at Wingatui, remarks the Otago “Daily Times,” a demonstration took place which has never been equalled on the Dunedin Jockey Club’s course. Mr. A. G. Wood made a poor start in connection with, the D.J.C. Handicap, in which, on the rise of the barrier, Rose Pink . obtained a decided advantage, whilst Burrangong was hopelessly left. Some of the others were apparently in doubt as to whether it was a start or not, and a momentary hesitancy on their part did not improve the appearance of the despatch. The spectators, however, accepted the uneven despatch as part of the game.

In the Flying Handicap, after two or three breaksaway, Pyjama got out on the move, and established such a lead that a win for him looked a certainty. His rider, however, took matters rather easily in the straight, and Hagerty, persevering on Buller, caught the leader in the last few strides, and pipped him on the post. There was no doubt a great deal of annoyance abroad when Pyjama slipped his field, but his subsequent defeat silenced any demonstrative feelings that might have been felt by the spectators. The stewards, however, held an inquiry into the start, and concluded by instructing the starter to make all the horses stand up to the barrier in future.

In the next race, the Waihola Handicap, only six went to the post. The field included Bon Spec, who went out a strong favourite, whilst, apart from Osterman, the balance of the starters was made up by green performers. Bon Spec broke away as they lined up, but Porter stopped him before covering a furlong. At the next attempt Mr. Wood had them dead in line, but Bon Spec beat the barrier; Osterman was next out, but slow on his legs; whilst a couple of others made a very slow move off. Bon Spec cleared out from his field, and won pulling up. When the horses came back to enter the birdcage they were refused admittance; evidently because of an impression that it was not a start. The clerk of the course galloped down to meet the car bringing back the starter and stewards whose duty it was to be at the post for that particular race, and on his return the gates were opened.

By this time a large section of the outside patrons came down the course, and, surrounding the birdcage, set up a very hostile demonstration, which was joined in by many on the lawn, as Mr. Wood made his way to the stewards’ stand. The demonstration was continued for several minutes, and no doubt its volume was assisted by the people seizing the opportunity to give vent to their feelings over the start for the Flying Handicap as well as for the apparently bad despatch in the Waihola Handicap. The stewards again met, and the evidence of the officials who accompanied Mr. Wood to the post established the fact that the horses were in good line when sent away. There the matter' ended as far as it was officially concerned, but undoubtedly a very hostile spirit was abroad concerning the advantage Pyjama obtained at the start for the Flying Handicap, and this, further augmented by the impression that Bon Spec had obtained an advantage in his race, largely contributed towards stirring up the feelings of the spectators. Those who were closely observing the start for the Waihola Handicap, however, were satisfied that it was a fair despatch, but the fact that Bon Spec is an exceptionally brilliant beginner and was only opposed by moderate performers and ethers with very little experience at the barrier, spoilt the appearance of the start. The cause for complaint and the demonstration was a climax brought about by the start for the D.J.C. Handicap, and that of the Flying Handicap, in which the despatch was of a very unsatisfactory nature. In future, the stewards should insist on a hard-and-fast observance of a rule that no start should take place unless a field is standing flat-footed at the barrier, and furthermore that far less consideration be extended to fractious horses. Prior to the D.J.C. Handicap all the riders in the race were called before the stewards and warned about exercising more care in handling their mounts than was the case in connection with the running of the Dunedin Cup. After the first race, the stewards conducted the inquiry into the interference which took place during the running of the Berwick Handicap. After hearing evidence, it was decided not to take any further action in the matter, as there was not sufficient grounds to establish that there was any intentional interference.