SPORTING.

Shannon News, 25 August 1922, Page 4

SPORTING.

Jockeys of tlie present day arc treat ed very much more generously than in the old days, but., by all accounts, it takes a great deal to coax up the satisfied spirit at times. The following case, reported by an Australian paper, is a case in point:—-E. J. Mooney was under engagement to ride Fiscom right through the winter, but that horseman took himself off after the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race had been ran. For that event (which Fiscom won) the owner, Mr C. L. Moorhouse, laid the jockey a clear £3OO apart from his percentage, which meant that Mooney’s whole cheque for the victory amounted to £453 10s. When Mr Moorhouse paid Mooney the £3O0 —the percentage, £153 10s is paid by the club—the jockey said that he was not satisfied, and declined to ride Fiscom again. 1 The refusal of a trainee’s license to a well-known Hawcra trainer has caused a lot? of comment, and in fact indignation, not only by many of the leading racing officials, but also by the leading citizens of the district,'writes Malcenas. The trainer has spent many , years of his life in the town, and without fear of contradiction one may say that for years past there has npt been a more law-abiding and quieter trainer in the Dominion. The case is well known to leading officials of Taranaki, and it appears strange that an act committed in youth, twenty years ago, should be revived, more especially after the individual has made full atonement. However, the case may; serve a useful purpose, as I understand that a petition may be presented to Parliament by the member of the district, and this may be the means of removing certain anomalies which appear to exist under the new rule in the issuing of licenses.