FREE TO RIDE AGAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20306, 13 July 1929, Page 14

FREE TO RIDE AGAIN.

JOCKEY'S "LAST CHANCE."

THE CASE OF HECTOR GRAY

DISQUALIFICATION REMOVED

[nv TELEGKAI'II. —OWN rOIttIESrONDENT. J WELLINGTON, Friday. The life disqualification imposed in 1925 on Hector Gray, tho well-known New Zealand |ockey, was removed to-day by tho New Zealand Racing Conference as a result of an appeal by Gray. Gray stated that at tho time of his disqualification ho was earning a con siderahle amount of money and that since then ho had lost all his property and was only now earning bare living ox penses. Ho was employed by Mr W. C. Ring and had faithfully carried out the terms laid down by the conference since his disqualification. He was unable to do hard work owing to his health, and Mr Ring, having sold his stud, would have no employment for him. Mr Ring wroto ptating that Gray Mad unswervingly carried out the instructions laid down since ho had been disqualified and had loyally abided by the conditions imposed. He appealed to the conference to givo Gray a chance to mak<3 good. Support For Request. Mr. C. F. Vallance said Gray had ridden for him and won a good many races and he was thoroughly satisfied with him. lie had always done his best for him. It was only reasonable to give him a licence, which could bo cancelled at

any time. Mr. VV. 11. Gaisford: 1 do not know the actual offence he committed.

The chairman, Mr. 0. S Watkins, read from the minutes of the conference, show ing that Gray was disqualified for a corrupt practice.

Mr. W. T. Ilazlctfc said that it was rather hard that members of the con felence could not know why he was disqualified.

The Chairman; Wo have all tho evi deuce here if required.

Mr. Hazlctt said ho did not want it lead, l>ut lie remarked that Gray was disqualified for offering a trainer money to scratch a horse A Very Severe Penalty.

Mr. Ilazlett said that Gray was indeed suffering a very severe penalty. It was time the conference considered whether they should not temper justice with mercy According to the letters read Gray was making a good, sound, honest attempt to "come hack." They should not prevent a man from making good if he could do so.

Mr H. F. Doogan (Greymouth) moved that tlie disqualification be removed, as requested He quoted from a report pre sented to the conference that morning that the racing public of New Zealand was safeguarded to a degree not experienced in any other part of the world With that statement he agreed. lie moved this motion with tho idea of tempering justice with mercy, but it would be Gray's final opportunity. Mr. Gaisford seconded tho motion. Mr. C. Louisson (Manawatu) said that there was a general feeling that Gray's sentence should be terminated. Mr. W. H. Wackrow (Auckland) said he had always found Gray "all right." Mr. Ring would be the last to give a helping hand if Gray was undeserving of it. After further discussion tho motion was carried.