PUT THE NIPS IN

NZ Truth, Issue 1204, 27 December 1928, Page 10

PUT THE NIPS IN

Duncan Wanted His Share

Of The Sweep

JOCKEY PAYS PENALTY

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Melbourne Representative) . One of Australia's premier horsemen is paying for his greediness. Bill Duncan must have thought he was playing a' ■ sucker. ' '

A SENSATIONAL, incident relating to the drawing of a horse m a certain Tasmanian consultation came under. the notice of . "Truth" m Melbourne three weeks back. > There "was Involved m this the leading jockey m Victoria, and a horse which had been backed for a considerable sum- to win the Melbourne Cup. It is a. common enough thing, of course, for people who draw horses m this particular sweep to endeavor to improve their chances by giving the owners a very substantial chop. For a. jockey, and such a prominent jockey at that, to reverse the procedure, however, ip a new departure— m the experience of the V.R.C., at any rate. A new departure it was and n»w Duncan finds hirftself out — at the pleasure of theV.R.C. , The facts 'are that some time ago, Mr. Fraser, senr., who conducts a smallgoods business at Moonee Ponds,' and one of his shop assistants obtained a ticket m the No. 2 sweep of a wellknown Tasmanian lottery on the Melbourne^Gup.

I They called .themselves the "P.K." syndicate, ,! and m due course received the result slip which showed that they had drawn Maple, which, had won the Caul field Cup, and was believed to have a very fair „. . chance of at least gunning- into a place, if not actually winning the Melbourne Cup. Needless to say, the ticket-holders were delighted. They could not be I blamed if m their pleasure at being m ja position where a return Of £5000 was I a distinct possibility they i made it known to their friends, and that so, m the course of time, the- news would spread to such an extent that scores of people m Moonee Ponds would know about it. ■ .. ■ ■ A few days before the Melbourne Cup "a young man entered 'Fraser's shop, and there ensued a conversation relative to Fraser's good fortune. "They tell me," said the visitor, "that you have drawn Maple m a sweep on the Melbourne Clip?" Fraser said he was a member of a syndicate that had, and wont on to ask the visitor the reason of his. interest. "Well," said the visitor, "I am representing Duncan, who is to ride Maple m the Melbourne Cup, and on his behalf I would like to ask you whether you intend to extend him any consideration m the event of a Avin." ! "1 don't know you," replied Fraser, "and I see no reason why I should discuss my business with you. 1 don't 'know that I'm prepared %o do anything, but if I talk business with anybody it will only be with Duncan himself." The visitor said that would be quite all right, and that as a matter of fact Duncan was outside 'the shop and would be glad to come m and have a talk over the matter. , •. So Duncan entered clit shop, and the conversation was resumed. "What

is this you want?" askfcd Frasor. "I am told you expect us to lay you something to nothing. "That's right," said Duncan. "I reckon it ought to be worth £1000 to me if I win for you." • . "You have got no right to ask for that much," returned Fraser, "and I don't feel inclined to offer you anything like it. If I did anything, the most I would go would be £500." Duncan demurred at the suggestion of £500, and reiterated that a win should be worth £1000 - , to him. ■ During the argument that ensued, reference was made to a rumor which had been going the rounds that Duncan might not. have the mount on Maple, m the long run, but might elect to ride Strephon. • There was, as a matter of fact, nothing m the rumor. However, Fraser recognized that, for the sake of his chance of a small for-: tune it would be better to' have Duncan oh Maple, for if Dpncan rode Maple m the Melbourne Cup it would make all the difference between a possible win and a probable loss.

"That's pretty hot," said Fraser, "but m any case I've got a partner m this ticket, and I'll have to consult her before I do anything." "All right," he was told, "go and have a talk with her." — ~ Eraser went away, came back and said to Duncan: "Suppose we split the difference? We are willing to pay £750 to you m the event of a win, but we won't go any higher than that." Ultimately Duncan said that would do him, and it was decided that an agreement should i be drawn up embodying that amount. This was done, the document being drawn up and signed. After all, Maple didn't win the Melbourne Cup, so the "P.K.J! syndicate only got the £40 or £50 that goes to drawers of "other starters," and Duncan got nothing at all. All over the district, however, the action of the jockey was discussed and criticized. Years ago it was possible for agents m Hobart to notify owners and jockeys of' the drawers of horses m the Tasmanian sweep. The result was that all too ; frequently were heard bitter complaints from fortunate, investors who had been approached by owners for a substantial "cut" from the sweep money. The directors of the Tasmanian sweep were amongst the first to • realize the fact that serious abuses could creep m under the old system, which made it possible »to secure the names of drawers of horses almost as soon as the sweep was drawn, and they took action accordingly. Duncan's action is all ttie more reprehensible since he is a jockey of money— not a battler — and the penalty imposed should teach him a lesson.