Suspension On Suspicion For Nefarious Practices

Northern Advocate, 7 January 1948, Page 6

Suspension On Suspicion For Nefarious Practices

WELLINGTON, Wed. (Sp.)—To say that racing in New Zealand is as clean as, it not.cleaner'than, in any other country is probably no exaggeration, states the report prepared by the Racing and Gaming Commission. J

That, however, is not to say that it is devoid of objectionable features.

It would be a disservice to r things are done which do not recerned and which, if not unfluggii react to the detriment of racing,

■ffeiny to be blind to the fact that Round to the credit of those connyly sought out and curbed, must

One disturbing feature of the sittings was the apparent complacency of racing administrators and their tendency to doubt the existence of one major, and to minimise the gravity of some minor evils.

Mr Heenan also says that much is heard and said of jockeys combining together to secure a previously determined result of a race, but points out that no evidence was given which suggests that jockeys as a class are corrupt. Their incentive to excel is at least as great as that of men in other competitive callings, and their rewards for success are greater today than the rewards of gambling and corrupt practice.

The commission was invited to believe that all was well with racing in New Zealand.

However it was alleged by the Dominion Sportsmen's Association that a large number of owners, trainers, and racing officials habitually bet with bookmakers. *■

In general the racing authorities’ answer was that they carefully investigated all cases brought to their notice, but that the difficulty of getting sufficient evidence to justify proceedings, much less to convict offenders, was almost insuperable. DOUBLE OFFENCE

In making these statements, Mr Keenan is aware that there have been cases, even in the past year, where jockeys, as well as owners, have been proved guilty of serious offences and have been severely punished. He points out the significance of the fact that most of these offences have been committed at minor meetings, where small stakes are the rule and the incentive to heavy betting is greater.

The commission is inclined to the view that an appreciable number of people bound by the rules of racing do habitually bet with bookmakers, both at totalisator odds and in doubles, and that a continuance of this state of affairs is not conducive to the welfare of the sport. A person subject to the rules of racing or trotting who bets with bookmakers commits a double offence—against the statute law and against the rules of the two sports. It cannot be said in condonation of his action, what is inaccurately claimed for a member of the public—Si at he is merely breaking the law which exceeds the moral standards of conduct of the community. In his case there is a definite and deliberate breach of a solemn personal undertaking.

A great number of people interested in racing believe that there exists a coterie oi people who, at least on occasion, attempt with success to influence flic results of races, the report continues.

NEW RULE SUGGESTED Under the Rules of Racing suspicion is not enough, but the commission feels that it is undesirable that persons under a reasonable and persistent suspicion of robbing the public by arranging the results of races, or by arranging for their own horses to lose, should be permitted to continue their nefarious practices until they can be proved guilty. Th ere would seem to be justification for a rule conferring jurisdiction on •the executive committee of the conference, upon being satisfied after hearing the individual concerned that a well-grounded suspicion exists that he has been guilty of a corrupt practice. to exclude him, by private notification. from Hie racecourses of the country. A right of appeal to conference judges could be mode available. In concluding this section of the report, the commission states that no evidence was given of betting with bookmakers by those interested in trotting.

Complacency in respect of the disregard of such an undertaking must obviously tend to •discourage disregard of other oblitfaTTons which vitally affect fair practice. Mr Keenan draws attention to another practice which he docs not feel is treated with sufficient seriousness by clubs —the racing of horses into form.

Complimentary to this practice is that of racing a fit horse out of his distance, with no thought or hope of winning, but merely to sharpen him up for a race in prospect at his own distance.