Recently a young jockey was jailed for three-and- a-half years because of race-fixing. His girlfriend, who helped fix one of the races, was also jailed, but for two years and nine months.
It is a pity to see two young people ruining their lives over the pursuit of money. We know that an apprentice jockey's wages are not high and the training is tough. But that should not be an excuse for using dishonest means to make money.
Desires can sometimes be a good thing as we need things to spur us on in our undertakings. But one cannot pursue them at any cost. What the ICAC is concerned about is the means by which people achieve their goals.
As a law-enforcing agency, the ICAC tries to make sure nobody uses illegal means to get what they want. If they do, they will be brought to justice. As the District Court judge who ruled in the case said: 'If you are caught cheating you can expect no mercy.' So, remember, do not let your desires ruin your life.
Vocabulary: 1. pursuit (n) chase, running after 2. apprentice (n) someone learning a trade 3. spur (v) push or stimulate 4. undertakings (n) projects, tasks 5. law-enforcing (adj) making sure that the law is kept