AN INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1932, Page 6

AN INQUEST

ON JOCKEY’S DEATH. STARTLING ALLEGATIONS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) AUCKLAND, Feb. 26. An inquest opened before Mr Cutten, S.M., on F. E. Stock ley,’ 17 years or age, an apprentice jockey, whose mount Exaggeration—fell in the first race at Elleslio on December 29th. Stockley died on foe way to the hospital. A six-foot model of the course was on the solicitor’s table, as well as a dozen brightly coloured lead horses. The request by counsel for Stockley’s relatives that witnesses should leave the Court was opposed b.v t.be( Racing Club’s counsel, who said that if allegations were to be madeffigainst any of the jockeys, they should hear them. The request was declined. Owen Mclmilly, rider of Bronze Tray, said that the leading horses, Beacon Fire, Exaggeration, Nea Lap, with Exaggeration in tiie middle were so close together that a sheet of paper could not have been placed between them. The cause of the accident, he considered, was foul, riding on the part of tlie rider of an outside horse, Gray. He heard Stockier yelling out to Reed and Gray, but lie was not sure whether Stockley was calling: “Leave me alone.” Stockley’s voice suggested that he was in fear. Continuing, witness said that, when •Stockley yelled, the outside horse did not move out. It was, witness con-

sidered, foul riding. Gray could *have moved out, but not Reed, who was on the rails. The next filing was -that Exaggeration fell. Hjs own horse was the first to pass over the fallen horse. Witness was questioned at length regarding hi s account of the position of the horses at t'he time, which description disagreed with others. It is understood that a great deal of evidence will be called in rebuttal oi the allegations.

Roy Reed, rider of Beacon Fire, said he did net once hear Stockley call out, nor did he know the horse on the other side of Stockley’s was ridden by Gray. It was possible that a horse on the outside was forcing Stockley into witness. After the accident, Gray on Nea Lap took the lead. Witness would be ‘surprised to hear that Stockley told Gray to leave him alone.

Leonard Morris, a jockey, on (Jaeldy Karo), denied there was any unfair riding. The cause of the accident, in his opinion, was that Nea Lap rolled into Exaggeration, which seemed to get on Nea. Lap’s heels. He did not remember his brother saying in the birdcage alter the race that it was the hottest bit of riding he had ever seen.

Thomas Green, rider of Juniper, also said there was no foul or careless riding. He denied having stated that Gray was responsible for the accident, but admitted that Gray bad unduly crowded Stockley. It was the type of accident for which no one was blameworthy. Proceeding. Note.—The result of the Ferguson Handicap in which the accident happened was:—Hit the Deck 1; Beacon Fire 2; Nea Lap 3.