RACING APPEAL DISMISSED.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1579, 29 July 1920, Page 9

RACING APPEAL DISMISSED.

The following judgment has been given by the New Zealand Racing Conference judges in the matter of the appeal by the Rangitikei Racing Club against the decision of the Wanganui District Committee in deciding: “That in the opinion of the district committee the Rangitikei stewards made an error of judgment in debarring the horses Yankee Jack and Hautawa from starting in the Maiden Hack Race at the club’s meeting, held on March 25, 1920”: — The Rangitikei Racing Club prescribed the following special conditions in respect of the Maiden Hack Handicap: "A handicap of 130sovs, second horse to receive 20sovs, and third horse lOsovs from the stake. For horses that have never won an advertised stake exceeding 25sovs at time of starting.” Prior to the race, the judicial committee was asked to decide whether two horses —Hautawa and Yankee Jack —were eligible—neither of which had won an advertised stake exceeding 25sovs in a flat race, but both of which had won an advertised stake exceeding 25sovs in a hurdle race. The judicial committee decided that the horses were not eligible to start. On the matter being referred to

the Wanganui District Committee, this decision was reversed, the district committee holding that both horses were eligible, and this is an appeal by the Rangitikei Racing Club against that decision. This was a hack race within the meaning of Rule 1 of Part. XL, and the following words (in Rule 2) therefore apply: “The amount won by any horse in flat races, hurdle races, or steeplechases respectively, shall be estimated separately, and shall not debar such horse from entry except -in the special class of race in which he has won the amounts.” Being a flat race, it follows that any stakes won in a hurdle race cannot be taken into account. The judges, therefore, dismiss the appeal, and affirm the decision of the Wanganui District Committee. They direct that the deposit be refunded. (Signed) George Clifford, E. Mitchelson, Oliver Samuel, Judges.