TRAINER LOSES APPEAL

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27913, 9 March 1956, Page 4

TRAINER LOSES APPEAL

REFUSAL TO RENEW LICENCE (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. March 8. The Racing Conference appeal judges have dismissed the appeal of G. J. Christmas, of Auckland, against the decision of the executive committee of the conference in refusing to grant his application for a renewal of his trainer’s licence for the 1955-56 season. The appeal was heard at Wellington today, the judges being Messrs T. A. Gresson, H. H. Green, and T. C. Lowry. Christmas held a trainer’s licence in New Zealand from 1949 to 1955, and in May last year applied for a renewal. This application was first recommended for approval by the Auckland Racing Club and the Auckland District Committee. but these recommendations were later withdrawn. Last October the Australian Jockey Club acquitted Christmas on the follow- ; ing charges:—(a) That between March. 1954, and June, 1955. he conspired wtih . F. W. Kennedy to use an electric battery ; on the training of horses at Randwick J and other racecourses; (b) that between I March. 1955, and June. 1955. he conspired with Kennedy, Markland, and other persons. to use an electric battery in the training of the horse Royal Legend; and (c) that at an inquiry held by the Australian Jockey Club committee he gave , evidence which in its opinion was false . and misleading. . In their judgment issued tonight the j apneal judges said that these allegations were disregarded at the hearing of the appeal. After carefully considering the ; submissions of counsel and the evidence adduced, they considered that the evidence established: (1) That Christmas bought an expensive electrically-equipped saddle in Australia after seeing it demonstrated and used by F. W. Kennedy, and secreted it in his possession in New Zealand for some months. (2) That Christmas was prepared to place his horse. Royal Legend, in Kennedy's charge, knowing that the latter used this improper device in training. (3) That in his own statement on July 18, 1955, Christmas admitted, acquiescence in the pulling of Royal Legend at Bundumba. and further. that by prearrangement with Kennedy he gave untrue evidence before the Queensland stewards. The judgment said there was thus ample evidence to justify the decision of the executive committee of the Racing Conference in refusing Christmas's application to renew his trainer's licence, and his conduct showed that he was not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence. The appeal was accordingly dismissed, and the deposit forfeited. At the hearing of the anpeal Christmas was represented by .Mr M. Robinson, of Auckland, and the executive committee by Mr E. D. Blundell, of Wellington.

SIR IMP BOUGHT FOR AUSTRALIA

“The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND. March 8. The promising two-year-old colt, Sir Imp, has been bought for Australia. He will leave Takanini at the beginning of next month for Melbourne, where he will be taken in hand by Theo Lewis. Sir Imp represents the first crop of the English horse. Resurgent, by The Phoenix. He is the sixth foal of Imperial Gold, who was got by Ninth Duke from Maktoub. Imperial Gold’s first foal was Taringaroa. In nine starts. Sir Imp gained a first, two seconds, a third, and three fourths, and £340. He was sold for 900gns. While racing in the Dominion, he was owned by Mr T. M. McCauley and trained by J. Williamson.