Application “Not Worth While”

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31678, 14 May 1968, Page 4

Application “Not Worth While”

"Ths Press” Special Serulce

WELLINGTON. Reperts af difficulty expert, enced by an Australian jockey In attaining a dear, ante to ride at Winton on Saturday were exaggerated, accordlng to the New Zealand Racing Conference. The Melbourne rider. D. McGregor, holidaying in the South Island, was engaged for Gay Gabador at Winton.

According to one version, he had to meet five requirements before being granted a licence —approval from the club, the District Committee, the Racing Conference, tax authorities, and his own domestic racing administration In Melbourne, the V.R.C.

Neither the tax authorities, the district committee, nor the club needs to approve such a licence, the New Zealand Racing Conference secretary (Mr A. R. Algie) said yesterday.

“An overseas rider needs a clearance from hie domestic authority,” Mr Alglo said. "Then he simply fills In the usual application form with the district’s metropolitan club and pays the 26 fee. In practice he

has the licence as soon as the dub contacts the conference. ” K. Mr *,’!'* ’»'? McGregor had ■been eliarod from Melbourne, by a telegram from the v.R.c. 2 *h* middle of the week before the Winton treating. On the Thuisday night before the races, a representative of the Winton Club rang the sttpendlary steward. Mr J. McCulloch, In Dunedin to clartfv the requirements McGregor had to meet. Mr McCulloch confirmed those with the Racing Conference on Friday morning and told McGregor whit was required when the Jockey himself rang later in the morning. Ho suggested that McGregor <l r, l , v ‘Jr o ™ Winton to inverterlili’ fill In th* form with the Southland R.C. and pay his fee. The club would then call the racing conference In Wellington and the president (Mr R. A. Whyte) would approve th* licence.

McGregor, said Mr Algie, then told the stipendiary steward he did not know whether he would bother. Asked by Mr McCulloch at winton on the race day tf he h*d made the application, the jockey Hid he had not thought It worth while.