RIDER WINS APPEAL

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29931, 19 September 1962, Page 4

RIDER WINS APPEAL

Disqualification Lifted (N.Z. Press Association) WANGANUI, Sept. 18. After a sitting lasting five hours, the Wanganui district committee today allowed the jockey, M. O’Connor’s appeal against the disqualification imposed on him by the judicial committee of the Wanganui Jockey Club on September 8. O’Connor had been disqualified for six months on charges laid under Rules 214 (2) and 338 (1. G) and (2) relating to a corrupt practice in wilfully supplying false or misleading evidence at an inquiry. The Charges arose from an earlier inquiry at which the horse. Grit, ridden by O'Connor, was disqualified from second place in the Okehu Hurdles at Wanganui on September 1 after O’Connor had weighed in IJJb light. It was alleged that O’Connor bad removed a rubber from the horse's gear after weighing out and that at the inquiry he had denied there had been any alteration in the horse’s gear. A statement issued by the secretary. Mr R. MacDonald, after today's appeal hearing said: ‘‘After considering the

evidence and submissions from counsel, the committee was of the opinion that there was not sufficient conclusive evidence to sustain the disqualification. "The district committee resolved that O’Connor’s appeal be allowed and bis deposit be refunded.” Mr W. G. Clayton represented O’Connor at the appeal.