GUNNING APPEAL DISMISSED

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23962, 1 June 1943, Page 4

GUNNING APPEAL DISMISSED

DECISION OF JUDGES TROTTING TRAINER DISQUALIFIED The appeal of Thomas H. Gunning against the decision of the New Zealand Trottting Association, in disqualifying him for five years for corrupt practice, has been dismissed by the Appeal Judges. . The following statement was issued last night by the New Zealand Trotting Association:— The judges are unanimously of the opinion that the appeal of Thomas H. Gunning against the decision of the New Zealand Trotting Association should be dismissed, and by a majority arc of the opinion that the penalty imposed by the New Zealand Trotting Association should be confirmed. The Judges further order that the appeal deposit of £2O be forfeited and ■ Gunning be ordered to pay £lO towards the ccsts of the association and £5 towards the costs of the Conference. The decision, dated May 31, is signed by D. E. Wanklyn, A. L. Matson, and M. G. Louisson, Appeal Judges. The trotting trainer and driver, T. H. Gunning, of Oamaru, was disqualified for five years by the board of the New Zealand Trotting Association on April 26 for corrupt practice. The charge was: ‘‘That being engaged to drive the horse Premier Royal, belonging to B. C. Lee, in the Otipua Handicap at the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting at Washdyke on April 10, 1943. you corruptly entered into an arrangement with the said B. C. Lee that you would pull the said horse in the said race and prevent it from winning.” A similar charge was heard against B. C. Lee, the owner of Premier Royal, which won the Otipua Trot at the Timaru meeting. In the Lee case the board reserved decision, but later disqualified Lee for five years and imposed a fine of £IOO.