ETHICS OF RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 11

ETHICS OF RACING.

PALLIATION OF " PULLING."

BOOKMAKER'S OPINION.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 8.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 23. At the pony racing inquiry direct denials were given to .illegations that the stipendiary steward was connected with bookmakihg, also that stewards betted on the racecourses. In regard to the latter charge an offer was made by one racing club that it would pay £500 toward the expenses of a tribunal to inquire into the allegations. , . A bookmaker, subsequently giving evidence, reasserted that ho was well-aware that stewards betted. He declared that racing could not be honest because therei were too many broken men about. Ha did* not consider a man who " pulled " a horse was necessarily a " crook." So long as it suited the owner iti was quite honourable. Asked if the owner of a "pulled" horse was a "crook," witness replied that some of the most honourable men in business " pulled" their horses. 'If nobody thereby was robbed of anything a '"pulling" owner was not a thief. Witness added that many " stiff " horses were run, but if they were going to rub out " stiff"'' ones they might as well rub out the lot. They had to be there or nobody would attend. Occasionally there was a ring among jockeys.