Johnson fined

Press, 1 March 1989, Page 46

Johnson fined

By DA VID MCCARTHY

The Riccarton horseman, Chifis Johnson, could be away from race riding for at least six months after being fined $2OO in the Westport Court yesterday.

Johnson, pleaded guilty to unlawfully taking a motor vehicle during an incident in Westport on Sunday. He was also ordered to pay $256.72 restitution to the complainant and $6O court costs. ;

Under tire Racing Act of 1971 the offence automatically prohibits Johnson from going on a racecourse and so of presenting a licence Ao ride. That licence is lilkely to be cancelled at the next executive meeting of the Racing Conference. Johnson must then apply to the Combined Committee for Racing, Harness Racing and Greyhounds for an exemption from the Raicing Act.

If that is granted he may then apply for reinstatement with the Racing Conference. The Chief Field Ofiticer of the Racing Conference, Jim Fleming, cannot say how long it may take before Johnson can be, or will be, granted a liicence.

"He must first ;get the exemption to apply for reinstatement after his licence is withdraw n. The next meeting of the 1 Combined Committee is; April and the following o ne not until July,” he said yesterday. J

“Even with everything going smoothly it would be unlikely, in my view, that the executive < could consider the case before August at least but thiat is speculation and depends on a number of factors.” Johnson, one of the:few active riders to have won the Auckland, Wellington and New Zealand Clips, was under suspension during the Westport meet ing after a flying visit to Queensland the previous week-end. He had ridden 44 winners in a short time since returning to race riding after a six-month disqualification incurred in Australia.

Mr Fleming indicated that a number of factors, including the court’s view of the relative seriousness of the offence, would be taken into account in any application for reinstatement.