Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 13 January 1951, page 1


PLAYBOY'S OWNER APPEALS

BAN ON SMITH LIFTED

Sydney, Friday

The A.J.C. committee to-night withdrew the fiveyear disqualification on . trainer T. J. Smith, but

substituted a severe repri-

mand.

A.J.C. stewards disqualified Smith, owner-trainer of Playboy, for five years on December 15 for not having taken all proper precautions to prevent two-year-old filly Sunshine ; Express ' being drugged, '

Today he appealed against his disqualification on charges of negligence and having given mis-leading evidence.

Sunshine Express, trained by Smith, was swabbed after she won the Maltine Stakes at Randwick on November 25.

The A.J.C, committee accepted

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Ban lifted

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Smith's explanation, and upheld his appeal against one year's dis-qualification on the charge of having given false and misleading evidence at the stewards' inquiry.

Mr. A. G. Potter, chairman of the A.J.C. committee told Maurice David Ryan, stablchand employed by Smith, that the com-mittee would formulate charges against him, and that "in due course he would have an oppor-tunity of appearing- before the committee."

Earlier, while giving evidence, Ryan snouted "You're a liar" nt Mr. J. W. Shand. K.c, who was assisting the committee.

At. the stewards' inquiry. Ryan said he "had a punter" who had laid him odds of £20, but he refused to give the name of the punter.

At today's hearing he denied he "had a punter," adding that he had made the statement about the punter at the stewards' in-quiry because he had two other witnesses against him.

"Not satisfied"

Mr. Potter said: "The commit-tee is not satLsfled that all proper precautions were taken, and the appeal must be dismissed but the charge of failure to observe proper précautions does not warrant dis-qualification."

The committee had accepted Smith's explanation that his statements had not been intended to deceive, and upheld the appeal on the second charge.