Star Witness and star jumps
February 23rd 2010 05:19
Jockey Nick Hall was fined $500 for his ‘celebratory gesture prior to the winning post’ when winning the Group One $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes on Star Witness at Caulfield on Saturday.
(photo: Neil Murray) Click image for enlargement.
Captured on the way back to scale Nick is still in celebratory mode - albeit more conservative this time and not worthy of reprimand or fine.
The ‘early celebrations’ of jockeys as they approach - or cross the winning post - is a subject of debate in racing circles. Frankie Dettori created his trademark ‘star jump’ off the horse's back as a dismount celebration. Post race. The greatest danger here a broken ankle if Frankie gets the dismount wrong. But in a packed field, running on empty - and on an inexperienced 2 year old - there is the possibility of a far greater mishap to occur.
(photo: dailymailonline.uk)
The stewards have the safety of all in mind when they issue the fine and reprimand. But it is not an easy issue given that the crowd love to witness, and share in the emotions of the winners.
Ex-jockey Alf Matthews is no fan of this form of showmanship - and when discussing the racing from the past weekend on Radio 927 Melbourne he did mention that as well as not appreciating Nick Hall’s celebration on Saturday he has also discussed the matter in the past with Glen Boss - someone who also is extravagant in his celebrations before the winning post. Boss has been fined 18 times for making celebratory gestures before the winning post when celebrating a Group One victory. In total his fines amount to $8,600 - a pittance when compared to his winning percentages from many Group One victories - including the three consecutive Melbourne Cup wins aboard Makybe Diva.
When interviewed last year - after his latest fine when winning the Cox Plate aboard So You Think - Glen Boss had this to say to the Courier Mail.
"My wife does remind me of the fines when I get home - and (says), 'That's a hat' or 'That's a dress'. It's just in me, I suppose.”
"You aren't allowed to be happy these days, obviously. If you were told you are going to win the Cox Plate and it's going to cost you $1000, what are you going to do? You'd pay a $1000 fine every day of the week.”
"It's just one of those things I do, and I'm not encouraging people to do it, but it's just me and it's what I do. I try to hold out until I'm going past the post, it's just like the moment is gone after the post and it just doesn't feel the same”
"I know what I'm doing and I'm pretty much in control the whole time. People might say it's dangerous if one of them (horses) does something silly underneath you, but I feel like I've got control all the time."
Star Witness - Blue Diamond Stake winner with Nick Hall aboard
(photo: Neil Murray) Click image for enlargement.
Captured on the way back to scale Nick is still in celebratory mode - albeit more conservative this time and not worthy of reprimand or fine.
The ‘early celebrations’ of jockeys as they approach - or cross the winning post - is a subject of debate in racing circles. Frankie Dettori created his trademark ‘star jump’ off the horse's back as a dismount celebration. Post race. The greatest danger here a broken ankle if Frankie gets the dismount wrong. But in a packed field, running on empty - and on an inexperienced 2 year old - there is the possibility of a far greater mishap to occur.
Frankie Dettory in full flight
(photo: dailymailonline.uk)
The stewards have the safety of all in mind when they issue the fine and reprimand. But it is not an easy issue given that the crowd love to witness, and share in the emotions of the winners.
Ex-jockey Alf Matthews is no fan of this form of showmanship - and when discussing the racing from the past weekend on Radio 927 Melbourne he did mention that as well as not appreciating Nick Hall’s celebration on Saturday he has also discussed the matter in the past with Glen Boss - someone who also is extravagant in his celebrations before the winning post. Boss has been fined 18 times for making celebratory gestures before the winning post when celebrating a Group One victory. In total his fines amount to $8,600 - a pittance when compared to his winning percentages from many Group One victories - including the three consecutive Melbourne Cup wins aboard Makybe Diva.
When interviewed last year - after his latest fine when winning the Cox Plate aboard So You Think - Glen Boss had this to say to the Courier Mail.
"My wife does remind me of the fines when I get home - and (says), 'That's a hat' or 'That's a dress'. It's just in me, I suppose.”
"You aren't allowed to be happy these days, obviously. If you were told you are going to win the Cox Plate and it's going to cost you $1000, what are you going to do? You'd pay a $1000 fine every day of the week.”
"It's just one of those things I do, and I'm not encouraging people to do it, but it's just me and it's what I do. I try to hold out until I'm going past the post, it's just like the moment is gone after the post and it just doesn't feel the same”
"I know what I'm doing and I'm pretty much in control the whole time. People might say it's dangerous if one of them (horses) does something silly underneath you, but I feel like I've got control all the time."
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