SPORTING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 295, 25 September 1873, Page 6

SPORTING.

THE LATE ACTION OP THE DTTNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB. We ("Waikouaiti Herald") have been requested to publish the following letter written by a sporting man, resident in Christchurch, to a friend in Dunedin :—: — Christchurch, Aug. 21, 1873. My Dear John, — I received yours of the 14th, and think that D.J.C. acted very disgracefully in taking the disqualification off Bob Reay in the sneaking manner they did. It was clearly proved at Tuapeka that Reay maliciously jostled Atlas off the course, and over a drain — not caring whether he ruined the horse or broke the rider's neck. It was not done in the heat of the moment, but was premeditated. Reay is too old a jockey to lose his head. In the race, Reay and Prince between them owned Tambourini, Flatred, and Burgundy. Atlas was the only horse that troubled them. They tried to buy him from Hazlett ; and after repeated offers, bid him £200, on condition that he would allow the horse to run in his name, but he declined. They then determined that at all hazards one of theirs must win ; they meant it for Burgundy, having bought him in all the sweeps — Hatred to make the running for him ; but Ablas went at such a pace that it upset this little game, and Hatred was obliged to win. From what I can learn, Mr. Campbell, a member of our Club, when in Dunedin a month or two ago, used all the influence he could to get the disqualification taken off. He then intended sending Reay to Melbourne with some horses, and of course wished him to go over a free man of the turf. It is. very easy to understand why Captain Hutchison took the course he, did. He has three horses coming up here fo* our November meeting, and;, no doubt, is. a,nxious to stand well with our Club. $ but I expect hj» chief object by making Reay free was tkat he would be sent, to Melbourne and take with turn. apme. dangerous norm, whereby the Captain would nave a better show with his team. I have been told, but . perhaps it is, not true, that Campbell bought a lojfc of clothing or saddlery from Reany, and got him. to assist in, the matter. Our Club has never know.n the fapts of Reay's disqualification, because, after they the notice, from, your club, they passed aresoJw,tion — V-^iiat onjy ihp cl^ef. Club

with." This was done in order that they might avoid learning the truth from the Tuapeka Club-r-to whom your Secretary referred them for full particulars. A resolution was wnt to the IX J.C. in whioh our Club says— "That Reay having borne a good character as a jockey for. eighteen years, &c,, &c." I believe this to be untrue, as I know that for years past Reay has been guilty of all sorts of dodges in Otago, and I believe there is something against him on the West Coast. Now, , at our last meeting a letter was read from Mr Sydney James, informing us that you had, taken off Reay's disqualification ; also,>that the D.J.C. had passed a resolution requesting the O.J.C. to remove the disqualification from "William M'Kay, I which the D.J.C. had already done, thinking that he had been sufficiently punished. I trust to hear fom you on this latter subject. M'Kay has asked this Club to interfere, and I have informed him of the above resolution, Our Club would not interfere in the matter, so you | see what an opinion they must have of yours. Ido not think our Secretary has even had the courtesy to acknowledge the letter. Your Club would have gained respect had they also declined to interfere, and, as is always usual in such cases, referred to the Stewards of the Tuapeka Races, who disqualified Reay. It appears to me that the D.J.C. have been outwitted. Certainly they have been made the tools of a few members of this Club just to suit their own purposes, and not having attained their object, decline to accede to Mr Sydney James's earnest, and I think reasonable request. Only one word more and 1 won't bother you any longer. M'Kay's case was not nearly so bad as Reay's. M'Kay lost, or dropped, his weights, and no harm was done except to a few betting men. — Yours truly, . ■