JOCKEYS STATE THEIR CASE

Chronicle (Levin), 6 March 1947, Page 6

JOCKEYS STATE THEIR CASE

WELLINGTON, Mar. 5. "My association is strongly opposed to the licensing of bookmakers on or off the course," said Mr. William J. Broughton, president of the Jockeys' Association, in evidence before the Gaming Commission today. He added: "It would briug about uupleasaat

things for us. We would be asked to do things Ave should not. It would also mean a retutn of big betting." • A jockey, he said, was soinetimes asked not to ride a horse oh its nierits until it Avas at a good priee and when this opportunity came there Avas. a temptation to the other riders. He had 110 experieuce of tlie latter but it did happeu that if a jockey did not do as he aa'as asked, he might lose^rides. His association did not like big betting ou horses. Whatever lia'ppened the jockey usually got the blame. Totalisators helped tlie stakes and as these increased so did the amount the jockey could get for a ride. He had seen stakes of only £45 at places like Geelong, Bendigo and so on in Australia. Mr. W. E. Leieester (Doininiou Sportsmen 's Association): Ybur -members object to a situation of being asked to ride several races not 011 a horse 's merita until a long price is available? — Yes. Mr. Leieester: It is not the bookniakers ' fault" but their presenCe which crates the situation?— Yes. Mr. Leieester: If ali "betting went tlirough the totalisator would it not still occur? — No, because the dividend would be decreased by a large investment by the interested party. To Mr. J. W. Heenan, member of the Compassion, Mr. Broughton said he had not heard of horses being prevented from Avinning by putting up a jockey unfit to ride the horse. The usual course would be to ask the jockey to take it easy. If every oAvner bet on totalisators, the dividends would equal themselves out. Mr. Justice Finlay: 1 would like to congratulate you on your evidence however right or wrong it may be. It was very well coaeeived and exposed.