RACING APPEAL CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19657, 8 June 1927, Page 12

RACING APPEAL CASE.

RUNNING OF MEMSAHIB.

EXONERATION OF OWNER.

JOCKEY'S SENTENCE STANDS.

DISTRICT COMMITTEE'S DECISION.

'A special meeting of the Auckland District Committee to consider the appeal of Mr. Mervyn Welis, owner, and W. H. Reid, rider, of the horse Memsahib, against the decision of tho Auckland Racing Club's stewards in disqualifying them for 12 months from Juno 4 was held yesterday. Mr. Wells had been disqualified under part XXXII., rule I. of the rules of racing, the stewards being of opinion that Memsahib was not run to win tho Hunt Club Cup. W. Reid had been disqualified under rule 1. of part XXV. The official report states that after hearing considerable evidenco that was not before the stewards it was unanimously resolved:—"That the appeal of M. Wells against the decision of the Auckland Racing Club's stewards be upheld and the £5 deposited by him be returned." Tho appeal of W. H. Reid, jockey, was dismissed and his £5 deposit was ordered to bo returned to him.

Instructions to the Jockey. The district committee was as follows: —Sir Edwin Mitchelson, the Hon. E. W. Alison, and Messrs. H. 0. Nolan, J. M. Carpenter, M. M. McCallum, H. Rothery, and K. Rennie. Mr. L. A. Price represented the Auckland Racing Club's judicial stewards and the stipendiary stewards, Messrs. J. McMahon and A. P. Wilson, wero also present. The evidence of the first inquiry was traversed and again Mr. Wells detailed his instructions to his jockey Reid, namely, that Memsahib had to be kept well back and her powers conserved. Fresh aspects were introduced: (1) That Mr. Wells was not made aware by the Auckland Club's stewards on Saturday that he was on trial, and that he thought he was asked to explain Reid's riding only; and (2) that Reid had been frightened* by the possibilities of the mare falling and hurting him if she was allowed to run along in the early stages. Fresh evidence, was permitted to be introduced on Mr. Wells' behalf. First, a qualified veterinary surgeon stated that Memsahib was very unsound and liable to break down at any time. Second, recognised authorities in bankers and totalisator proprietors stated that Mr. Wells was not a large bettor and that •he did not bet with bookmakers, and third, that in the opinion of an expert trainer of jumpers Memsahib's rider was given the correct instructions to win on Saturday. Mr. "Wells reiterated that his was the full responsibility in regard to erders.

Statement by the Owner. "I am naturally very pleased with the finding of the District Committee," Mr. Wells said last evening, i "It gives me great satisfaction to know that after considering the case from all aspects, I was completely exonerated, and that the finding of the seven members, who are not only high in racing circles, but also are among Auckland's leading citizens, was unanimous. The committee spent two and aild a-half hours in considering the appeal, and the investigation was most complete. "It may not be apparent to the average man that the stewards of a racing club have most arbitrary powers. It is within their jurisdiction to take away a man's self-respect and reputation, which are dearer to, most of us than life itself. I think the 'time has come when all inquiries by stewards which concern the disqualification of any man, whether owner, trainer or jockey, should be held at a time when no racing is being carried on. In my own case, knowing, that I was absolutely innocent, I did not think my connection with the alleged offence would be regarded in a serious light at all. As another of my horses was starting in the Great Northern Steeplechase of £2250 within an hour, I was naturally anxious to get out of the ste%vards' room, have a hastv lunch £tnd see Wedding March race. My mind was full of these matters, and so must have been' the minds of many of the stewards and other club officials, some of whom also , had horses running. "Although a jockey, particularly an unknown junior, does not figure very high in the social scale, still he is a man whoso riding is his living and his all, and. I think he is as much entitled to the fullest consideration as the wealthiest owner among us."