The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-18 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

The decision of the committee at Tattersall's on the
Soiled Dove case, which is as follows, is condemned on all
hands:—
" Soiled Dove, three years old, having been disqualified
by Rule 17, all bets which were won on the three sweep-
stakes and match must bo refunded, as well as the money
for which she was backed. The second horses in each
case of the races alluded to being the bona fide winners of
the stakes and bets. "H. J. Rous,
" G. PAYNE,
" FREDK. FITZROY.

" Tattersall's, Monday, March 11, 1867."
Mr. Chaplin, however, has forwarded the following pro-
test, but I think it might have been made on much broader
principles :

(Copy.)
TO THE COMMITTEE OF TATTERSALL'S SUBSCRIPTION

ROOM.

9, Dover-street, Piccadilly, W., March 15, 1R67.
gentlemen, —As it appears from the notice at Tatter-
sall's on Monday last that the question in reference to the
bets in the Soiled Dove case v.eis settled by three members
of the committee only, whereas Rule VIII. of Tattersall's
provides that the quorum shall be five, I beg to submit to
the members of the committee that in justice to the
backers of Soiled Dove, the case should at least be heard
and decided by the recognised tribunal onstituted accord-
ing to the rules, and by such tribunal only.—l remain,
gentlemen, your obedient servant, .iIENILY CHAPLIN.
And a more unsatisfactory conclusion, in my estimation,
was never arrived at. Underneath is a list of the mem-
bers of the committee*, and I may bo permitted to express
some surprise at the majority of them being conspicuous
by their absence. When one notices the names of Beaufort,
Newcastle, Coventry, and Westmorland on the commit-
tee, it is natural to wonder at their not being present upon
such an occasion as this to lend their influence and posi-
tion to a satisfactory solution of this uafortunate affair,
which must, as a matter of course, be a great injustice to
some of the parties concerned. The first rule of betting
says that "In all bets there must be a possibility to win
when the bet is made ; you cannot win when you cannot
lose;" and why innocent parties should be made to suffer
for the offences of others is beyond my comprehension.
When the gallant Admiral nails his colours to the mast he
hum right to adhere to thernl;but in this case he certainly
has been premature in doing so. Supposing himself the
innocent holder of a forged Cheque or Beak of England
note, would it be just, or right, or prop a- that he should
suffer the penalties attaching to the guilty party by law ?
and unless an answer is given in the affirmative how can
he, in common honesty, inflict en Mr. Chaplin and others
the penalty which are put in force by Rule 17. Does
the Admiral doubt Mr. Chaplin's entire innocence, as most
assuredly on no other grounds can he justify the decision
given. If, as I believe, Soiled Dove was foaled abroad,
there can be no doubt that the officials of the Jockey Club
were guilty of negligence quite sufficient to make them
liable in a court of justice to him for whatever loss he may
sustain should the above decision be enforced. Rule 15
has been entirely ignore.' by them, and from that
lathes arises all the mischief, as in thoother case Mr. Chap-
lin would not have had the opportunity of claiming Soiled
Dove, and who did so under the responsibility of the
Jockey Club management. On looking over the list of
names it is remarkable that although the bookmakers as a
class are more enterprising and energetic than any other,
they appear to have been quite indifferent to have their
interests properly represented on the committee. Surely
now, when their transactions are daily of such magnitude,
it would be worth while for some of the leading book-
makers to take counsel together, and draw up a code of
better rules for themse!ves. The only difficulty I can
foresee is the requisite unanimity amongst them. With it
there is nothing to prevent them not only framing the
rules, but enforcing them. Their power properly managed
would be fully equal to the Jockey Club, and I hope the
ftuggestions I have made will attract their notice.
The principal meeting of the present week is Warwick,
though Bromley. a few miles from town on the South
Eastern lino, will doubtless be extensively patronised on
Friday and Saturday. For the Trial Stakes on Tuesday
at the first-named place, REDAN must be my selection, as he
has a fine turn of speed over this distance of ground, and
had he not stumbled at Chelmsford in his first race there
would, I feel persuaded, have been wily troublesome to
the winner. In the Sweepstakes of 25 sovs each EA.O DE
VIE is most likely to prove beneficial. Winning the
Willoughby Handicap entails a penalty of 71b for the
principal race of the meeting, and having doubts whether
either Pintail or Life Guardsman will run, my present im-
pression is all in favour of BRICK. The Handicap Hurdle
Race reads well for CHIMNEY SWEEP, or whichever repre-
sents Lord Coventry's interest. The Stand Plate was
won by GORDIAN KNOT last year, and it will not surpi Ise
me to see him repeat the victory this time, as he has only
7lb more to carry. Should PARIs run he ought to win the
Handicap of 50 sovs, and in his absence it seems any odds
on Cmnisa. The Farmers' Plate I know nothing about.
The Great Warwickshire Handicap will be the chief
attraction on Wednesday. Of the 26 animals engaged,
Beadle or Wild Agnes, Wandering Minstrel, Life Guards-
man, Pintail, Endsleigh, and Forester appear most fa-
vourably in, the five three year olds having, to my think-
ing, .a, very indifferent time, with their
._older
_op-
ponents. Whichever represents the Duko of Hamil-
ton is sure to run forward, but from the demon-
stration made a short time back on behalf of the mare
the City and Suburban• I should doubt her put-
ting in an appearance here. Wandering Minstrel, on his
Liverpool form, must have an excellent chance. Life
Guardsman is some day likely to prove himself a race-
horse, and I would strongly advise your readers never
to lose sight of him, and -follow suit to any genuine
investments which may be made on him. His noble
owner's tactics are so uncertain that it is only at the last
minute one can tell whether the horse is trustworthy, or
oven likely to start. Pintail and the Beadle are remark-
ably well in, so also is Endsleigh ; but well at the post I
have groat faith in Mr. Payne's mare, who ought to be
about winning. Forester is also turned loose, and between
• the Beadle, Wandering Minstrel, Pintail, I shall leave tho
race.
The Two-Year-Old Stakes will go to the Duko of New-
castle's NINNY, who has already given us a taste of his
quality on two previous occasions.
The Grand Annual Steeplechase on Thursday will de-
pend a good deal on the running at Croydon to-day, but
Hornet, Fan, Banker, and Accident ought to furnish the
winner, as they are all favourably in.
Some little demonstration has already been° made in
favour of Proserpine for the Metropolitan Stakes, and if
the owner should decide to start her for that event, it looks
like turning out a profitable investment. Good accounts
also reach me respecting Conundrum for the City and
Suburban Handicap.

A FRESH MAN.

* His Grace the Duko of Lord Frederick Fitzroy.
Beaufort. , Hon. Col. Henry Forrester.
His Grace the Duke of Now- Hon. Admiral lions.
castle. I H. Lowther, Esq.
The Earl of Chesterfield. G. Higgins, Esq.
The Tho EarlEarf ofof Coventry.
CGa.ta Pgyinne
Westmoreland..
t We cannot ascertain who has been nominated by the
pl4sg.
Viscount Exmouth. I' Batchelor.
committee in the place of the late Earl of Chesterfield.