October
JulyNo forgiveness
Richard Callander’s rant ("Time for the stipes to weigh in," 21/7), concludes with the incredible statement: "All I know is that this current rule is doing our sport irreparable damage."
I haven’t read or seen any evidence or argument to support the claim that this rule of racing is causing "damage" to racing. My own observation is that it’s a quite rare occurrence anyway.
Let’s look at the facts as he has recounted them in this specific episode.
The jockey weighs out at the set weight, including a towel in the jockey’s saddle (gear) and returns to scale quite obviously without this equipment.
She weighs in light and in accordance with the rules of racing is disqualified. What exacerbates the offence further is that even if the towel had been included, the jockey is still light, even allowing for the other accessories the jockey might call for.
Richard doesn’t tell us how or why the jockey was unable to make weight, excluding the towel. What explanation was there for that? That isn’t discussed or explained.
That both trainer and jockey were "pinged" for carelessness was both correct and proper. There doesn’t seem to be any suggestion of malpractice.
Carelessness and lack of attention to detail have been costly to all connections ... and to the punting fraternity, who are the innocent players.
Making exceptions or suggesting stewards could exercise discretion would make a mockery of the rules and you would have to ask where any "discretion"would start and finish. Our rules are very transparent as they stand.
This outcome might be a wake-up call for all to be "on the ball" when saddling their horses to ensure towels, lead bags, whatever, are all included and double checked.
Not winning is hard enough but where carelessness is involved there can be no forgiveness.
Canterbury (Vic)