October
MayIt's a start
While the early results using Victoria’s new hurdles and fences have been encouraging, caution is advised before declaring them a roaring success. Let’s not forget that similar results were achieved with the last lot of obstacles — spruiked at the time as "super-safe". We all know how that turned out.
The fact is that any jumps type, when first introduced, will have a honeymoon period when they are respected by horse and rider.
The new jumps have the added advantage of having been introduced after jumps racing’s near-death experience, which will have had the effect of concentrating the (human) participants’ minds on safety.
The fact that jockeys are now encouraged to ease their mounts out of a race when beaten is another positive factor, as is the stewards’ more vigilant and sceptical approach to handing out jumping tickets.
The challenge will be to maintain this vigilance and safety-first approach throughout the winter — and beyond, if the sport survives into 2011.
The external threat to the sport must remain uppermost in the minds of all participants — especially the jockeys, who must continue to exercise restraint even when the dollar signs are lighting up the winning post ahead.
Cremorne (Vic)