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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 167, 5 October 1893, Page 4

The decision of the Australian Jockey Club not to hear the complaint brought by Mr J. B. Clark, a well-known Aus-tralian-side racehorse owner, against a jockey for foul riding on Jeweller in the Wycombe Stakes at the recent A.J.C. Meeting, opens up the question whether the rules re complaints might not be advantageously amended. Mr Clark in lodging his plaint made it clear that he did so not with a view of its affecting the result of the race, but merely to investigate an offence said to be on the increase, and one which must be viewed with great seriousness seeing that it endangers not the loss of a race but probably the loss of human life. But the A.J.C. declined to hear the complaint on the ground that it had not been lodged within 15 minutes of the finish of the race. Under the rules, the Club had no option but to act as they did. But is not some alteration of the rules necessary to meet such special cases ? The Melbourne Sportsman commenting on the subject points out, “Where

older or leading jockeys are concerned, the younger division are naturally afraid to speak of any real nr fancied ill-treatment that they may sustain, lest worse befall them next time. These matters do not come before the owner or trainer immediately, and when they do he has to search carefully for the evidence, and to estimate its value ere occupying the time of an important tribunal with the matter. All this is impossible in fifteen minutes, or even during the afternoon of a busy race day.” This is very true, and an alteration from the time limit of fifteen minutes to say a week, where an owner does not wish to upset the race but merely to bring to light an instance of unfair riding, might profitably be entertained by all racing clubs.