October
NovemberTwo hands, please
It could be said I’m flogging a dead horse here, but here is the reason I don’t support the victory salutes by jockeys in major races these days.
It’s my understanding that horses travel between 60km/h and 70km/h in races and weigh up to and above 500kg. To control such a conveyance cannot be easy, never mind trying to do it with one hand.
Recent investigations have shown that in Australia since 1840 nearly 900 riders — yes, 900 — have lost their lives in races, and virtually all would have had two hands on the reins.
The public, however, loves such celebrations as it apparently brings excitement and “theatre” to the occasion. This theatre is certainly not comedy and we don’t want it to turn into a tragedy.
It will continue, however, as long as stewards keep fining riders a paltry $1000 per offence.
Gladstone Park (Vic)