SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1917, Page 8

SPORTING.

HECTOR GRA\"S APPEAL, REJECTED BY THE RACING CONFER- . ' EXCE JUDGES. Christohureh. March 10. The appeal to the Racing Conference by the well-known rider, Hector Gray, against the decision of the Auckland District. Committee m refusing his application for a jockey's license, has been heard. The following is the decision of the judges: "In the appeal the first question to be decided is whether the 'judges have power to entertain it. We consider that under Rule 1 of Part XXXIV we have such power, but that its exercise since the conference rejected the proposal to transfer the licensing of jockeys from district committees to a. committee of the conference is in effect limited to very exceptional circumstances, which do not exist in the present case. We do not, however, wish to base our rejection of this appeal solely on the ground above stated. It appears that appellant was disqualified in New Zealand for pulling a horse, that he thereafter disregarded the restrictions involved by such disqualifications that the stipendiary stewards recommended that he be not again licensed in New Zealand, and that subsequently he was again disqualified in Australia for a similar offence. The serious views which authorised licensing bodies have taken of these recorded offences is shown by the replies sent- by theni to the questions of the Auckland District Committee. The committee of the Taraliakj district, in which appellant had resided, declined to recommend the issue of a license, and the, Australian Jockey Club answered that it would have refused the license if Gray's application had not been withdrawn. We feel bound to accept these facts as evidence of ine gravity with -which such responsible officials have regarded appellant's conduct, and we therefore, if we held ourselves entirely free to reverse the decision of a district committee, should not consider it right or advisable to do so in the case before us. (Signed) George Clifford, J, W. Abbott, and 0. S. Watkins, judges."

TURF \TOPICB. (By "Motorua ") > The Rangitikei annual meeting takes place anil to-morrow. After weeks of dry weather tlio course at Bulls is very hard, and some of tho "tenderfoots'' will bo moving short on the second day. Fields should he large, though very few horses of quality are engaged. Ten figure in the Rangitikei Cup, I'A miles, including Pacific Slope, Master Moutoa, urn! Lady Middleton. The issue looks very open, The Beott Memorial Handicap, six furlong, should be the most, interesting rate of the day. Moutoa Queen, who won a double at Wanganui;. rlude, and Botanist are all going well, Moutoa Queen and Interlude are fancied by their coune«t'ops, and both mares : look very fit. Scratching* may account, for a big proportion of the 20 odd "carded" for the Trial Plate. Taranaki sports will be interested in the running of Carmel Arclu and Robur, A number of new chums figure in the OliakeA Hack Hurdles, 1% ;niles, Iml nothing seems to stand out amongst them. Portland Lady and Grey Cilard have most to recommend tliem on form. Sabana has been running consistently on the other side of the Island, and a contest with iStarengo, Rio, etc., should lie north wagering on. Another big field is engaged In the Pnkenui Hack Welter, seven furlongs. Carmel Arch (if started), Spain, Sir Wallace, and others will all 'have followers. 'Previous running should shed some light on the Parewainii Welter, S'/. furlongs If Lady .Middleton Is reserved, it will not be hard to pick the favorite, but in lie/ absence Iceberg may carry as much coin as any of the lesser lights. Seventeen hold their ground in the Xgatiapa Hack Race, five .furlongs, including quick beginners like Starengo, Bivouac, Birkenetta, Munition, etc, Starengo will carry the bulk of Wanganui money. The Opunake Racing Club is to he congratulated on the huge success of Saturday's meeting. Visitors from as far south as Marton motored through on the morning of the races, and the great attendance assured all-round success. The starting, judging, etc., was excel- ■ lent, and, though several very "warm orders" went "cold;' on the public, the gathering was most enjoyable. The victories pf Simple, Sam, Hushman, Inali, and Deeside were very popular. Mr. P. S. Riley came through a strenuous day's graft in flying colours, "Caesar's Son'' was the name of a neddy running at Opunake, and it probably struck others besides this scribe as a strange effort in nomenclature. Caesar's son, history tells us, was a bastard. Ilushman won the Opunake R.O. Handicap in the simplest possible fashion. • Zetes finished on well, but the others made a wretched showing. Away fiom the course the I'ar Vons were heavily "peppered" with Hus'hman money.