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TURF SENSATION.
RUNNING OF PURSER.
Appeals Dismissed.
'Ls. Melbourne. Oct. 2T.
Public interest'., uv the :Ptlrser cass
reached its liighist point to-day when
the committee !§£' the VJLC. heard the
appeal/of MeiWrS; Georie Tye and J. 15.
Lorteen, jointj owners of Purser: Ceea
God byt . trainer;: and Hugh Cairns,,'
jOck-ey, agaiilst '?? the . ' decision of the
y.RiC stipendiary', -stewards disqualify-,
ing them for ???twelve* months. Alter i a
lengthy hearing'.' ; in which some new
light Avas, throrfn on this renrarkab'.e
case, the 'committee dismissed, the ap
peal. This* decision has a more sweep
ing effect than. anV other turf decision
ui«de iff . thi» -Ttate. if not in the Coni
uiottiw-Sllth.' Its-Jiiost important effect
ErOilt turf and public points *of view is
that it automatically rules the champion
colt Hdroic out of the Melbourne Cup
and Victorian. Derby. The Derby was
believed by the g-eat majority of race
goers- to be a gift for Heroic, and the
fact that Heroic was baeked at less than
5 fo 1 for the Melbourne Cup indicates
that there wefe a great many who held
a similar opinion, bfjahis chance in the.
Cup race. . -y- V
The Purser .case MsVexcited more pub
lic interest than any pther turf drama :n
the recent history of racing in Victoria.
It will be remembered that Purser
finished eleventh in a field of 20 in the
Coungy Handicap on October 15. and
* few days later won the Oaulfield Cup
with the greatest ease from a good
field, after he had been announced as au
unlikely Starter. The V.ILC. stewards
held an inquiry into the running of the
horse in the Coongy Handicap, and al
though it was sta-tetl at that inquiry that
Cairns, who rode Purser, bad been a-
most blinded through being struck in the
eyes with mud during the race, the
stewards decided to disqualify the
owners, brainet. and horse for twelve
months. Aft appeal was lodged, and on
account of importan-t matters which
hinge on the result o-f the appeal, steps
were immediately taken to call the cqiu
ihittde together in order to expedite the.
hearing. The hearing was commenced'
at 10 o'clock -this morning, and was con
tinued this afternoon. A large crowd
gathered outs-ide tilie V.ti.C. office in
?Bourke-street while the inquiry was iir
progress. The evidence given is stated
t» have covered a very wide range,
statements being made by spectators,
officials, and jockeys. As was forecasted,
the appellants relied largely on the acci
dent to- Cairns- in the Ooongy .Hnndicap.
Mr. William Kennedy,' a welMniott-n
oivu*r and buyer, stated that while
watching the Coongy Handicap he saw
Cairns suddenly take hold of the horse
and remain inert in the saddle, Purser
striding along apparently out of control*
Mr. Kennedy resolved to invest a Small
amount 00 Purser in the Caulfie3d Cup,
but when, ie told -Corteeii' the Latter
seemed amused, and, calling Godby over,
told him of the proposed investment.
Godby said: 'He iniist have s-een- the ac
cident to Cairns.' iMr. Kennedy was not
so keen to back Purser when Corteen
told him he had not secured a rider for
Purser.
The evidence of I/awis, I-eihpsey,
Young, and other jockeys was said to be
mostly confined to the state of the track
on the day of the ratfe.
Dr. Joyce, who examined Caisns after
tihe ra-ce, did not 'appear, but a certifi
cate given, by him to the jockey was
produced. 'About half an, hour afte.r
the finish of the Coongy Handicap,' it
Stated, 'I examined H. Cairns, who com
plained of having received a clout from
a clod of eaTth thrown, up during the
progress of, the race. I wag satisfied
that he had received a -severe clout On
the left eye. and after giving him atten
tioa advised him to go home and apply
hot fomentations. When. Cairns saw me
he had bathed his eye, but there was
distinct evidence of the knock. Cairns
did not^ay much, but obviously wag in
pain.'
Bviden-ce concerning the heavy nature
of the track was giveti by Mr. Boase,
supervisor of tracks at Cau3field; Mr.
Haywood, clerk of thecoursie, and others.
After a lengthy hearing it was an
nounced that the appeal had been, dis
missed.
$