October
AprilMore races = more horses
The jumps racing industry needs more help than it is getting. Having whittled away at the programmed events from 182 to 67 these past 10 years, in response to that vocal minority, authorities now need to put some effort in to restore a percentage of those lost.
A total of around 70 hurdles/chases for a season is nowhere near enough to support the number of horses that need to be in training, and a 60-percent cut in events has inevitably produced a 60-percent cut in numbers available to compete.
We are coming from seven dark years of rocket scientist-designed jumps which tripped horses and smashed legs. Now that has thankfully been (expensively but intelligently) resolved, a lot more help is needed to achieve a balanced program.
Novice hurdles and chases need to be scheduled, before festivals like Oakbank and Warrnambool.
No use using the excuse of low entries. You build the events schedule and the horses in training will accordingly multiply.
The industry has had a severe mauling but fortunately has survived. More help is urgently needed for next season and the future of Australian jumps racing.
Bendigo (Vic)