SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1920, Page 3

SPORTING

RACING FIXTURES. * May 20, 22.—Wanganui J.C. Winter. May 20, 21.—North Otago J.C. Winter, lune 1. 3, 0.-Dunedin J.C. Winter. Tune 3, ■*— (Haiti It C. Winter, lune 3, 5, 7.—Auckland B.C. Winter. NORTH OTAGO ACCEPTANCES. By Telegraph.—Press Association Oaunaru, May IS. Following are the acceptances for the first day of the North Otago Jockey Club's meeting:— EMPIRE HURDLES. One mile and threequarters.—Jack Symons 10.11. Kllbnyno 10.0, Wild Pilgrim 10.5. John Barleycorn 10 4. Calma 10.2, King Star, Bairnsdale, Spyglass, Dark Sam, Speed King 9 0. REDCASTLE HANDICAP WELTER. Six furlongs.—Mythology 9.9, Will Oakland "1.8, Kllllney 9.2, Nautical 9.1, Orange Bitters 8 13. All Serene 5.7, Pal" 84, The Boss 8.1, Red .Pal, Lima 8 2, Lady Pallas S.O. OAMARIT CUP. One mile—Melee 8 13, Itorko's Drift 8.9, Almoner SC, Torfreda 8 2. KlUcee 8.1, Jock 8 0, Burrangong 7.13, Cavero-k 7.11. Linden 7.10, Marianne 7.7, SUynhus, Claverhouse, Mythology 7.0. NORTH OTAGO STEEPLECHASR About threo miles—Arlington 11.11, Palladia ll.', Kaupokonui 11.2, Golden Rupee 9.13, Blazo-, away, Tokomalrlo 9.7. STEWARDS' HANDICAP. Sis furlongs.— Radial 9.13, Torfreda. 9,1, Mortham 5.12, Murihlku 5.9. Klllala 8.7, Kllkee 8.3, Hot Air 7,13, Sleepy Head 7.7, Pyjama 7 3.

PERNBROOK HANDICAP. Seven furlongs.—Marching Order 813, Miss Camouflage S.O, Nautical, Martirors 8.5, Ail Serene 7.11, Red Pal 7.5, Tunic, Bengeroop, Carmine 7.0. TKIAIj PLATE. Five furlongs; special weights—Charlerni. Bengeroop, Kildee. Judy Abbot, Laciy Allcnby, Paddy's Hope, Sherlock, '.Yhipeord. Cleveland, romnoso, Silk Lace, Dal Signo, Babylon, Lady Markhope.

TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB. A meeting of the district committee of the Taranaki Jockey Club was held In Iho secretary's office on Tuesday evening:. There were present:' Messrs. h. A. Nolan (In the chair), IV. .1. Morrison. 0. \V. Sole. 0 Frsser, 0. Putt, A. Good, H Washer, and J. Gray Apologies for absence were received from Messrs N. King E. P. Blundoll. and B. H. Chancy. The Elrham Karing Club's dates for a race meeting to be held en March 31 and April 1, 1021, were approved. A conditional jockey's license was granted to an applicant subject to the Auckland Racine Club having no objection. A trainer's license was granted to W. O. Anstls. A. MeCorimK's apprentice- jockey's license wa.s suspended Cer one mnntli in connection with the recent happings at the Avonda-le Jockey Club's race meeting. Tho distritc trust funds balance sheet for the year ended was placed on the table. WANGANUI NOTES. (Ey "Moturoa.") Over, in Sydney they are praying for rain, hut \Vanganu!-ite= would cheerfully spare Ihem the abundance of moisture that threatens to itiar the pleasure of the races, which commence to-day. Cold, squally showers were the order of yesterday, nnji the prospects for to-day's sport are not. ton promising. Fortunately the shipping "hold up" has hardly affertcd the meetlnir, and horses are still being carried by rail. In many ways the Wanganui Jockey Club Is lucky, not the least In getting its winter catherLng off be'ore what promises to bo a protracted struggle between the racing clubs anrt the jockeys (hacked jup by the J/abor unions). Whnt tho outcome of the struggle rclll 'be nobody can clearly forecast, but It eecms likely that the Racing Conference will order the complete cessation or race meetings for s'aie months at. least, in which time 'Up wiser heads amongst the horsemen will probably find means of cooling the hotheaded antics of the firebrands. Naturally the kill-sports are behind the jockeys anil Labor unions, thinking in this way to curtail tmd cripple the sport, but. the racing clubs ran well affor.l to wait, while the jockeys will find the. necessity of seeking other means of livellhnort rather distasteful. Most people will admit that the jockeys' demands ara, in the main, only fair and reasonable, but the insulting and uncouth manner in which thev ■vera presented to tho authorities, and the impat'onee which marked the whole affair, has alienated the sympathies of level-headed dportsmen.

The goto;: at Wr.njr.mul to-day may he rery 'loppy, and winners in consequence hard to sort out. particularly in Iho jumping (.vents The exhibitions over country tliis week hare not been of a brilliant order. Guanaen fell hoavlly on Saturday, and heir.; lame had to be withdrawn from the Wanganni Steeplechase. Xgakanui blundered at the seeond of the double on Tuesday, and Sir Solo also »ave a slovenly display. Maraetotara fences slowty. as does Sir Donald, but Old Mun(Findi, Zeus, and Wlrc&lno take everything in their stride. Glndful Is looking fit, but doesn't jump two fences alike. Nevertheless, on the whole the steeplechasers are a promising lot for so early In the season, and the threatened hold-up of racing will encourage more owners than usual to go for the money while racing lasts.

The mud-larks in the Borough Handicap includo Bd-Peep, Ruddy. Kinsem, and Matatane, and the former pair promise to he nannlv supported to-day, Spills may be prevalent in the Hack Steeplechase, but Luke and Master Webster appear to be as safe as anything as conveyances over steeplechase country. A good field is expected In the Wanganul Steeplechase, though Master Strowan will he an absentee. Old Mungindl, Wiroklno, Polthosrue, and Maraetotara must all be given a chance, and of the quartette Wiroklno and Old Mungindl look as fit as anythlne. It is expected that Locheila will ho reserved for the big hurdles, in which case Applaud and 'Cello may carry most money In the Kaitoke Hurdles.

Goldstream has come into favor for the Century Hurdles, and Lord Nagar and Omahu are also much fancied. Probably tho trio will fight It out, but there Is every possibility of a surprise!. Marqueteur, All Over, and Simon are in demand for tho Connolly Handicap, but on paper Simon reads very well. The best field of the day will he produced in the Puma Hack Handicap, and recent form points to Tame Pox, Crucelle, and Petunia. In the absence of Simon, Tame Fox should be a hot order.

THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE. THE POSITION EXPLAINED. Auckland. May 19. In explanation of the difficulty which has arisen in racing circles the following letter lias been forwarded to the Premier bv the chairman of the Auckland District Committee (the Hon,, E. Mitchelson). "The position has been grossly misrepresented by ; those controlling the affairs of the Jockeys' Association to various trades unions with a. view, doubtless, of getting their sympathetic support. In. the first place the suspension of licenses of certain jockeys had nothing to do with the connection of these jockeys with the Jockeys' Association. This Association has solely to do with racehorse owners (as employers) and jockeys (as employees), and any .differences as regards employment must be sell lei between these two classes in accordance with the procedure fixed by tho laws of the land.

"As regards recent suspensions, these lmve been Inflicted solely by reason of deliberate breaches by jockeys, of conditions of licenses "l' - or your information 1 might state that the racing sport is governed by certain bodies under fixed and definite rules, and the controlling authority is the. liacing Conference comprising delegates elected bv various racin,' clubs throughout, the Dominion, and It constitutes the final curt of anneal on all rac'n" iiuesllons. Th's authority controls the actions of racing clulj. owners, trainers, nnd jockeys Licensing of trainer.-' and jockeys is delegated to nn<! ccntrolleit by district committees in the various racing districts, composed of 11 delegates, six of whom represent the metropolitan clubs and the remaining Ave represent, and are elected by. tile country chilis of tho district at the commencement of cell season.

•'Tho district committee issues licenses to trainers and jockeys, which osnire. not later than July :il subsequent to the iesuo of the license). All licenses are liable to suspension or cancellation by the dist#ict conimittee who grant the same for breaches of the rules of raclnu. etc These licenses are issued subject to the obsc-rance of these rules of raclne. of which all trainers and jockeys are well aware, seeing that they are printed and available to them. Now 'under th'se rules it is an offence on the part of a Jockey, Inter alia:— »

"(a) To break his riding engagement with an owner or tr ncite other jockey* to do so "(b) To refuse, to sign any evidence or statement that ho may gire or make before any stewards.

"(e) To refuse or neglect to attend meetings of stewards when requested to do so "It was reported to; end found bv investigation by, tho Auckland District Cnii'mlitee In the presence of the jockeys chnvd tint' .lookey Hewitt, on April 111 excited and r»ouMed ißve»il jockeys at AvcudoJe to brwk th«ir

racing engagements at the meeting held on that day, that he refused to sign -nis evidence and the statement made by him before the Avondale stewards, that lie refused tc attend meetings of the Avondale stewards when requested to do so; that Jockey E. O. Rae Incited and counselled jockeys at Avondale tc break their racing engagements at the Avoudale meeting held on April 10, 1920; tliat Jockey .1. B. O'Shea broke his racing engagements at the Avondale meeting on April 10, 1920, and refused to attend meeting!', of tlio Avoudale stewards when requested to du so.

Vvv these offences and for those alone, the District Committee decided ti suspend these Jockeys' licenses for the balance of the racing season. If they are aggrieved at this decision they have, under the Rules of Raring, an Immediate right of appeal to the Racing Conference. These jockeys have openly and deliberately defied the Utiles of Racing and the conditions under which tkoy have accepted their licenses and cannot expect their conduct to be passed over uniiotired by the licensing authority. "The Auckland Racing Club's Committee have had nothing whatever to do with the above suspensions and the various trades unions have been absolutely misled by certain officials connected wiih the Jockeys' Association, who hare evidently led (hem to believe that, 'rletiinlsation' had been practised and that these jrekcys have been punished for their connection with the Jockeys' Association. This is absolutely contrary to fact, as can be ascertained by any official of such unions who cares dispassionately tc Investigate the position. "The position Is quite analagotis to that of a. trades union which is dealing with one of its members who deliberately sets at defiance the rules of his union which he is hound to observe.

"It is interesting to point out that the fictions of the .lockers' Association are quite contrary to Its own registered objects and rules.. Under these rules it is provided, in effect, that its members shall lnyally observe their engagements and conditions of their licenses. Despite this, however, we find that certain officials are countenancing and advising its members to break, not only the terms of their licenses, but also to commit a breach of the Association's own rules. "In concluson, I may say Hint I cannot see that any conference such as suggested by you will be of any avail, but I think It should he strongly pointed out to the unions that no 'victimisation' has taken place, and that the dispute of the jockeys with their owners has nothing whatever to do with the recent suspensions. Other jockeys who broke their engagements at the Arondale meeting will yet have to be dealt wllh by the various district committees who granted them their licenses. I would also like to state that the suspensions have nothing to do with the actions of jockeys on the first day of the Avondale meeting on April IT, 15.20, when the weather was very unfavorable "