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Letter of the Week

Unseen dangers

 

Two expressions from stewards’ reports, "galloped on" and "clipped heels" go unchallenged, practically without fail. Why?

How many more horses have to be nearly maimed and jockeys injured as a result of these incidents, which seem to be occurring much more regularly?

Horses have their chances ruined and then have to recover from very nasty injuries after they have been galloped on from behind, or had their heels clipped by another horse.

These are very serious incidents that can and do cause injury to horses and jockeys as well as costing owners and punters huge sums in lost bets, prizemoney and vet expenses.

But rarely, except when there is a serious fall, do we hear anything from the stewards.

These incidents are invariably caused by a jockey’s mistakes — either riding too close to the horse in front or pulling out when too close to the horse being overtaken.

Do stewards conduct enquiries to determine the cause of these incidents?

To my mind, such mistakes are just as serious as when a jockey does not quite allow two horse lengths before crossing over, and far more serious than a few extra pats with a whip. Yet how many suspensions and fines result from those offences?

At least the jockeys of those horses being crossed over can see what is happening and can take appropriate action. But they can do nothing if their mount is galloped on from behind or has its hind heels clipped.

Don’t horses and jockeys have the same rights against interference from behind? So why not the same concern from stewards?

Ed Dimech
Torquay (Vic)
Today's Racing
Thursday 28 March
Friday 29 March
Saturday 30 March