Untitled

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

But there is another side to the question which must suggest itself to fairminded people, and that is that the V.R.C. are striking at the branches of the tree which is supposed to be diseased instead of attacking its roots. Why not deal with those people who are responsible for the running of their employees? The jockeys in question are mere boys, and may be more sinned against than sinning. To most of them the question is not, ‘ Shall I ride straight or stiff ? ’ but, ‘ Shall I decline to follow orders and lose my situation ? ’ Xlt is doubtless a hard thing to get at those who are at the head of the evil, but it is probably a harder thing to punish those who by their peculiar environment are forced into the practices which lead to their suspension. No doubt the V.H.O. Committee will temper justice with mercy and restore the jockeys’ licenses after a time has elapsed sufficient to show the lads in question that the loss occasioned by a refusal to ‘ pull ’ their mounts is infinitely smaller than that which will assuredly follow any acquiesence in such a style of riding.