HECTOR GRAY’S PETITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1929, Page 7

HECTOR GRAY’S PETITION.

.LIFE DISQUALIFICATION LIFTED. The life disqualification inflicted by the Canterbury District Committee on May 27, 1925, on the jockey Hector Gray, as the result of an inquiry into an incident in connection with the Fendalton Handicap at the New Zealand Cup meeting the previous November, was lifted by the annual meeting of delegates to the Racing Conference in Wellington on Friday (reports the Dominion). Gray, whose disqualification had been alleviated to suspension at a previous Annual meeting of the conference, and who was granted permission to work for Mr. W. C. Ring under strict conditions with regard to attending race meetings, wrote to the conference petitioning for the removal of the disqualification. At the time he was put out Gray said he was earning a considerable amount of money and was in a good financial position, At the present time he was penniless and was able to make only a bare living. He had lost all his properties and was not in good health, being unable to do hard work. Recently his employer, Mr. W. C. Ring, had dispersed his stud, and was keeping only a limited team in work, with the result that he would probably not require his services much longer. He was 41 years of age, and had had great domestic trouble. By virtue of his life training he was unfitted to take up any other occupation. LETTER FROM GRAY'S EMPLOYER. Mr. W. C. Ring, Gray’s employer, in the course of a covering letter, stated that Gray had unswervingly carried out the instructions laid down by the conference, and had loyally abided by the conditions imposed on him. He appealed to the conference to give Gray one more chance to make good, for he had learned a very dear lesson. - The chairman (Mr. O. S. Watkins) said that he would take an expression of opinion from the conference. They had to consider what he thought was a very grave position. Was it fair to whitewash Gray to-day and give him an opportunity of getting his license outside New Zealand? He did not think that the disqualification should be uplifted merely to allow him to go away. Mr. C. F. Vallance said that Gray had ridden for him in a great many races. Ho was thoroughly satisfied with Gray’s riding, even in cases where he was beaten, for he considered that Gray had always done his best for him. It was only a fair thing to give him his license, which could be cancelled at any time. Mr. W. H. Gaisford: I don’t know what was the actual offence he committed. What was the offence?

The chairman: Many, and one in particular of which I think all members are aware.

Mr. Gaisford: I think it ought to be made known, I think he was treated very harshly for this particular offence. He was supposed to bo guilty of lots of other things, but he was disqualified for a certain offence, and I think quite a number here do not know what that offence was.

The chairman: Ho was disqualified for a corrupt practice. Mr. W. T. Hazlett: It is a well known fact that he was disqualified for offering Quinlivan, the trainer of Mr. Eric Riddiford’s horse, £5O to scratch, Mr. H. F. Doogan (Greymouth): Gray had indeed suffered a very severe penalty, and it was time they considered tempering justice with mercy. According to the letters from Gray and Mr Ring, Gray had made a good honest, sound attempt to come back, and they should not prevent the man from making good if he could do so. He moved that the ban be removed as requested. He quoted from the report of the racecourse inspector that the public of New Zealand was safeguarded to a degree not experienced in any other part of the world. With that statement he agreed, and anything that they would do would not mean running a great risk if afterwards Gray did not take advantage of the chance that was proposed to be given him. If he fell again that would be his own fault, and he moved the motion with the idea of giving Gray a final opportunity. Mr. W. 11. Gaisford seconded the motion, Mr. C. Louisson (Manawatu) said that there was a general feeling that Gray’s sentence should be alleviated. No doubt he had received a very drastic sentence. Perhaps he had earned it. “I should like to see the matter reconsidered,” he said. Mr. L. A. Nolan (Taranaki) was of the opinion that Gray had played the game. At one time there was a strong possibility of the case being made a political issue, and it was to Gray's credit that he had got it withdrawn. “A LITTLE MERCY.” Mr. E. A. Campoell (Wanganui) said that they were not there to go into the offence. The question was what were they going to do. They should seriously consider dealing out some little mercy. Mr. W. H. Wackrow (Auckland) supported the resolution. He said that Mr. Ring would be the very last man to hold out°a helping hand to an undeserving case. Gray was at an age when there were not many years in which he would be able to do anything in the way of horsemanship. Mr. J. H. Perrett (Wanganui) said that he had no objection to doing something to alleviate the position of Gray, but they were there to represent the racing public and act accordingly. He would like to add something to the motion to assure a license being restricted if necessary by the Licensing Committee. The chairman said that the matter of the license did not come in at all—that was a question for the Licensing Committee. It was a clear-cut issue as to whether they lifted the disqualification or not.

Mr. G. W. Vercoe (Auckland) supported the motion.

Mr. J. R. L. Stanford (Wanganui) asked what would be the result if the conference agreed to Gray's request and removed the disqualification. Would he be free to go on to a course or was it a recommendation for the Licensing Committee to grant permission on such terms as they thought fit? Was it better to have Gray under control than as a free lance? Mr. C. G. Dalgety (Canterbury) inquired whether it was the usual procedure for the conference to deal with such a case in the manner pioposed without reference to the body 7 which imposed the The chairman: I do not think that the (jQnfcrcnce ever removed a disqualification without such action being confirmed by the imposing body. Mr. Dalgety thought that it should be referred back to be discussed. The chairman: Will you move an amendment? —

Mr. Dalgety: No, no. Only it was just an expression of our views. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried, with the Canterbury Jockey Club the only 7 dissentient, RACING CONFERENCE. YEAR’S OFFICERS ELECTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, July 13, At the Racing Conference yesterday the following officers were elected: — President, Sir George Clifford; vicepresident, Mr. O. S. Watkins; executive committee,-Messrs H. O. Nolan (Auckland), H. A. Knight (Canterbury), A. C. Hanlon (Dunedin), H. F. Doogan (Greymouth), J. S. McLeod (Hawke’s Bay), W. T. Hazlett (Southland), L. A. Nolan (Taranaki), J. H. Perrett (Wanganui) and D. M. Findlay (Wellington). RACING IN AUSTRALIA, ROYAL DUKE WINS AT MOORFIELD. GRAND NATIONAL TO SANDHURST. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received July 14, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, July 14. Following are the results of the principal events at the Moorefield races: — FLYING WELTER. _ Six furlongs. Second Division. ROYAL DUKE, by Tea Tray-Persis, 9.3 1 NOLENS VOLENS, 8.12 2 QUINCE, 9.5 3

Eleven started. In an exciting finish, Royal Duke (N.Z.) won by half a head, with half a head between second and third. Time, Imin 16jsec. Four horses came down in a smash in the second division of the Juvenile Handicap at Moorefield. Claredo was killed instantly, while Solesme broke a leg and had to be destroyed. Clardome was first to fall and the others galloped over it. Jockey Bermingham was sent to the hospital, but his injuries were not serious. The other riders were unhurt. MELBOURNE G.N. STEEPLECHASE. £5OOO. Three miles and a furlong. SANDSHURST, ch g by Baverstock Eaton Lass, 6yrs, 11.4 1 MOSSTROOPER, by Kenilworth— Keego, 9.6 " SEAFIT, by Sea Prince—Competence 10.11 3 Sixteen started. All moved away well together, Mosstrooper and Flavel Light bein" first prominent and led out of the straight, where Sandhurst assumed charge at the first fence and was never afterwards headed. Sandhurst soon had a 12 lengths’ advantage from Flavel LiHit. Parupa fell at the end of the first round. Sandhurst, who at one time was 20 lengths ahead of the field, was only ten lengths in front passing the stands, followed by Mosstrooper Millanjie and Seafit. The last-named joined Sandhurst two furlongs from home, but the latter drew away. Mosstrooper, however, came along with a good run and Sandhurst had to be hustled to win bv a neck. Seafit was two lengths awaja. Willanjie was fourth, a long way off. Time, 6min Sisec (a record). DOUTTA GALLA HURDLES. MAY DAY, by Flippant—May Dance 10.7 ’ 1

KENTLE, by Kenilworth —Amicitia, 11.1 2 HESLEY, 9.11 - 3 Six started. Won by a length and ahalf, with two lengths between second and third. Time, 4min 16sec. AUSTRALIAN NOTES. (By “Moturoa.”) At the Canterbury Park meeting on June 29, Mintage (Catmint —Lady Penury) won the second division of the Nursery Handicap by six lengths from another New Zealand-bred two-year-old in Shekels (Paper Money—Lady Jean ID- # 0 ® # At the Brisbane A.T.C. meeting on June 29, Willow King, a bay three-year-old colt by Greyspear from Lochiela, won the Third Division Handicap, seven furlongs, by six lengths in Imin 32sec. Willow King was quoted at a fine price, and his connections would have a good win. Mosstrooper, who ran a good second to Sandhurst in the V.R.C. Grand: National Steeplechase on Saturday, won the Travancove Steeplechase, two miles and eight chains, at the Moonee Valley meeting on June 29. Mosstrooper carried 10.6 and won by six lengths, the time being 4min 20sec.

At "a trotting meeting in Vienna a little while ago, one backer had cause to bewail his luck. Oiily one ticket —and that at 2s —was taken on Garconne, who finished first. The return would have been at the rate of 1130 to one, but, unfortunately for the punter, the horse was disqualified.

The maximum in number of horses permitted by the club to be trained at ( Moorefield has ■'been reached, states the Referee, and in future trainers will have to apply to General J. Lamrock before they can use the track. So many horses and ponies are now in training that most of Sydney’s racecourses are somewhat congested. « # « #

Bosh (Absurd —Steinhall) is in form at present and continued his winning sequence by annexing the Fourteen-two Handicap at the Rosebery ponies, held at Ascot on June 26. Bosh was a good favourite and was not troubled to win by three-quarters of a length. Another Maorilander, Little Mart, who has not yet struck winning form, finished a fair fourth.

In Japan no one is allowed to. invest more than £2 on the totalisator on a horse for any race but, as the Referee states, it would be difficult to guard against his doing it through others. If such a law were imposed in Australia or New Zealand punters would be up in arms in a minute, though no doubt the sporting public would be far better off financially at the end of the year.

After Stormy failed in the race won by Jeypore at Moorefield, “Pilot” heard a good jud"e of racing, and one who keeps in close touch with track form, remark: “He will do better at his next start. He was scarcely ready to see out such a fast run mile and a-quarter.” When Owner H. W. Burch received the Canterbury Cup on the course he said that so far as betting was concerned he would have benefited to a greater extent if his horse had won at Moorefield.

One condition of the Latonia Derby is that the owner of a horse winning that race as well as the Kentucky Derby receives a bonus of £lOOO. Clyde Van Dusen won the last-mentioned race, but it is not known whether lie also took

the other. The double has been won by four horses —Leonata, Halma, Ben Brush and Sir Huon. Whether Clyde Van Dusen won or not his owner had a nice bet in £lOOO to nothing in addition to the £5OOO attaching to first place in the Latonia race.

A feature of the racing in Queensland on July 6 was the unique achievement of Jockey W. Thomas, at Townsville, in piloting each of the seven winners-on the programme. One of his victories was on Greengold, a son- of Greenstead, in the North Queensland Guineas. Thomas, who began his career as a meatworker ten years ago, decided to take on riding, and he is credited with having won 000 races in North and West Queensland. He is careful of his earnings and is reported to hold extensive property interests in Townsville. He ia about 30 years of age, spare of frame, and has years of usefulness in front of him yet as a jockey.

The shipment of Aussie, IPapatu, Paganelli and Tasty by the Ulimaroa, which vessel left Auckland for Sydney on Friday, will serve to increase interest in events set down for decision on theAustralian turf during the coming spring meetings. The performances of Aussie and Paganelli will be awaited with especial interest. Both geldings havfr scored noteworthy victories under high weights, and, whatever they may accomplish over a longer distance than a mile, it can 'be said that both are good in races up to eight furlongs. Mr. G. Paul journeyed with Aussie and Papatu and Paganelli and Tasty went in charge of their trainer, M. J. Carroll. Advices from Christchurch state that Limerick and Paquito will leave from Wellington on July 26.

Kentle, this year’s winner of th© V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race, though only in his sixth year, has raced under the colours of no less than five owners. When sold as a yearling he was bought by Mr. W. H. Tudor for 200 guineas. He was subsequently owned at various stages of his career respectively by Messrs W. Neal, G. Bell and S. W. Biggins, and the latter, who bought him for 550 guineas at auction, in March, 1928, sold him a few weeks back to Mr. L. K. S. McKinnon for 700 guineas. It was under the last-named sportsman’s colours that Kentle. won Grand National Honours at Flemington last Saturday. Amorist, who won the Vittoria Hurdles at Trentham on Wednesday and ran second to HorOmea on Saturday, is an Australian-bred four-year-old gelding by Bave r stock—Amicitia, and is therefore a half-brother to the National winner. When a yearling he was bought in New South Wales for 120 guineas by Mr. J. McCombo, under whose colours he won a hack race last season. Some months back Amorist was bought by the Canterbury sportsman, Mr. H. Dampier-Crossley, and at the Dunedin winter meeting last month he won a hurdle race in good style, lie is yet a young jumper and may be seen to advantage next season.