RACING ABUSES

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1932, Page 5

RACING ABUSES

UNEVIABLE REPUTATION.

SPORTING AT AUCKLAND. [By Telegraph, Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 8. “Sufficient vigilance, is not exercised in the conduce of racing in the Auckland district,’’ said a prominent racehorse owner. "There is far too much laxity, and vital rules of racing are often observed in the breach . WhiiD the falling-off in totalisator returns is largely due to the economic depression, 1 fee! sure that the figures would not lie nearly so low but for the fact that followers of the turf are timid about investing, owing to the impression that they may not get a fair run. “The Auckland district lias gained an unenviable reputation in this respect, and owners, trainers and jockeys in the south have been frank in their critiscism of methods in the north. There is a suggestion that senior jockeys receive preferential treatment. They have frequently been known to cross over, before they are the regulation two lengths crear, and nothing hab been said, and they have galloped on other horses without comment being raised. With experienced riders this should never occur. Juniors are not permitted to do this sort of thing. They are brought before the committee and punished or cautioned. At the recent Ellerslie meeting, in a race where only experienced ridel's were engaged, one horse galloped on another, and apparently no notice was taken by the authorities. Declmg with inquiries by judicial committees, he said he was strongly in favour of the jockey concerned and the committee being represented by counsel, and the proceeding being open no the’ press. The present system was not productive ot the best results, and he felt that the who/e of the facts wer-e not revealed. Cross-examination by counsel would clear up many doubfui 'points. The way inquiries were conducted at present made it possible for a dominant committeeman t-o influence «■ decision. , Such an 'eventuality would not be possible under a system providing for legal representation- ~ , . “Stipendiary stewards should hate greater powers,” said the ounei. “They are diffident in bringing cases for fear of not being upheld. They should have wider powers and be generally supported. The pub Ac are certainly disturbed at what appears to be happening, and are losing confidence in the conduct of racing. It has been admitted by jockeys during the course of inquiries that they have been approached by others as ft the result ol a race. The Buckland Handicap inquiry as a result of which seveial jockeys were punished, brought to light "thS "fact-that all -was not-w.. with the racing game.