October
SeptemberRecord should reflect reality
I tend to agree with Adrian Dunn (14/9) that Johnny Murtagh should be named as both trainer and rider of Royal Diamond should that horse start in the Melbourne Cup (assuming that Murtagh wants to ride him).
I’m not particularly concerned about any embarrassment Australian racing may suffer as a result of turning down such a request. I just feel that, if the horse runs, Murtagh will be training it, no matter what the form guide may say.
Therefore the records may as well reflect the true situation.
While this may seem like favoured treatment for a visiting star, it needn’t be.
I also agree with Dunn that it’s high time the archaic rule preventing our own jockeys from applying for training licences needs to be reviewed.
Castlemaine (Vic)