RACING SENSATION

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1929, Page 3

RACING SENSATION

LEADING JOCKEY SUSPENDED. SYDNEY, December 27. 1 bo A ictoria Racing Club provided a first-class racing sensation when the committee decided to suspend indefinitely the license of one of Australia s leading jockeys, A\. Duncan, the hero 1,1 man;- an important event in Sydney and .Melbourne. The suspension is at the pleasure of the stewards, and virtually amounts to a life disqualili'ation, with that the comnvttoe may at any time review the position. However, his offence ts regarded as a very serious one, and in the circumstances the decision of the committee is not surprising. There has always been a certain suspicion in the minds of the public concerning races which are the subject of a well-known Tasmanian sweep. There is a suggestion that owners and jockeys expect to be approached by those par-

ticipants in the sw’cep who have been fortunate to draw a horse. \Jt would seem that more than once owners -have withdrawn a horse from a particular race because they have not been so approached with tlie offer of a gilt of L'soo or so in the event of a win, and the supposition is that some jockeys might not try to win unless they are given an added inducement.

These views are strengthened by the Duncan case, one of the first of its kind that has come to the certain knowledge of the public. The suspension of Duncan followed a report from the stipendiary stewards relative to a sweep on the last Melbourne Cup. It was alleged that Duncan, who rode Maple to victory in the Caulfield Cup, approached two people who had drawn Maple in the Melbourne Cup and asked to he laid £7OO to nothing in case the mare won. The ticket-holder was .Mr •J. YY. S. Fraser, dairy produce merchant, of Melbourne, and a half share in the ticket was held by one of his employees. Although the report of the stipendiary, stewards, to whom the matter was first reported, has not been made public, it is understood, that Fraser

was unwilling to give Duncan the large amount ,that Duncan ' demanded; However, negotiations continued, and it wast'evcnually agreed that if Maple won Duncan was to receive £3OO from the holders of the sweep ticket, and an agreement to that effect was drawn up. As it happened Maple failed to gain a place. The public now feels that its suspicions in regard* to “ sweep ” races were to some extent at least justified. Up to now - the allegations have been hut whispered from one to the other.