Jockey Strike
September 10th 2009 08:17
Jockeys around the nation went on strike today to protest against the inability of the ARB to be more flexible in allowing a slight modification to the new whip rules. As I stated in a previous post, it is a wish to have all jockeys able to ride their mounts with vigour to the line in the final 100 metres of a race which is the stumbling block.
(photo: Neil Murray)
Racing authorities in Australia have been jumping at shadows in recent times. The debacle of jumps racing in Victoria where modifications to jumps to appease a vocal minority have actually made the obstacles (until recently) more dangerous to horse and rider.
I fully agree with the introduction of the padded whip. But given that all and sundry agree that it afflicts no pain - why then now (and only now) impose restrictions to its use in a tight finish?
The requests by the jockeys are sensible.
The actions of the ARB reactionary, ridiculous, and ultimately timid, trying to appease those who will never be appeased. Commonsense, and horsemanship, both favour the viewpoints of the jockeys.
So today a strike and abandoned meetings. On the weekend we have major racemeetings programmed in Melbourne and Sydney. I have worked all week in compiling my Speedguide for clients and will not be happy if the meeting is called off. But I tend to think that it would be more productive for jockeys to boycott midweek and minor meetings rather than disrupt the Spring Carnival. A targeted protest.
Below I have reproduced a statement from AJA CEO Paul Innes:
Unfortunately the Australia Racing Board has let jockeys and everyone else involved in the industry down today
All we were after was a common sense approach to the whip issue.
Jockeys are very happy with the introduction of the padded whips, we're happy to limit the use of the whip prior to the last 100m, but the rules governing whip use in the last 100 metres have to change.
We will now go back to jockeys around the country and discuss where we go to from here. We can't rule anything out at this stage.
We can't have jockeys worrying about counting the number of times they've moved their whips when they should be concentrating on getting to the line safely. t's just ridiculous.
Racing is a dangerous sport as it is – jockeys put their lives on the line every time they jump in the saddle – and now by leaving these rules in place the Australian Racing Board is making it even more dangerous for our riders.
The ARB has completely ignored the unanimous call of all participant stakeholders to make a minor variation to the rules.
Jockeys in action with new padded whips
(photo: Neil Murray)
Racing authorities in Australia have been jumping at shadows in recent times. The debacle of jumps racing in Victoria where modifications to jumps to appease a vocal minority have actually made the obstacles (until recently) more dangerous to horse and rider.
I fully agree with the introduction of the padded whip. But given that all and sundry agree that it afflicts no pain - why then now (and only now) impose restrictions to its use in a tight finish?
The requests by the jockeys are sensible.
The actions of the ARB reactionary, ridiculous, and ultimately timid, trying to appease those who will never be appeased. Commonsense, and horsemanship, both favour the viewpoints of the jockeys.
So today a strike and abandoned meetings. On the weekend we have major racemeetings programmed in Melbourne and Sydney. I have worked all week in compiling my Speedguide for clients and will not be happy if the meeting is called off. But I tend to think that it would be more productive for jockeys to boycott midweek and minor meetings rather than disrupt the Spring Carnival. A targeted protest.
Below I have reproduced a statement from AJA CEO Paul Innes:
Unfortunately the Australia Racing Board has let jockeys and everyone else involved in the industry down today
All we were after was a common sense approach to the whip issue.
Jockeys are very happy with the introduction of the padded whips, we're happy to limit the use of the whip prior to the last 100m, but the rules governing whip use in the last 100 metres have to change.
We will now go back to jockeys around the country and discuss where we go to from here. We can't rule anything out at this stage.
We can't have jockeys worrying about counting the number of times they've moved their whips when they should be concentrating on getting to the line safely. t's just ridiculous.
Racing is a dangerous sport as it is – jockeys put their lives on the line every time they jump in the saddle – and now by leaving these rules in place the Australian Racing Board is making it even more dangerous for our riders.
The ARB has completely ignored the unanimous call of all participant stakeholders to make a minor variation to the rules.
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