Retired champion jockey Damien Oliver is to partner with track managers in an effort to resolve potential issues, following disruptions at Caulfield last weekend.
As part of a new initiative with Racing Victoria, Oliver will inspect tracks on the day prior to race meetings throughout the remainder of the Spring Carnival. Any identified safety concerns will be promptly reported to RV stewards for their assessment and determination of required remedial actions.
Jockeys had expressed safety concerns regarding ‘turf plugs’ that had been inserted into the Caulfield track before Saturday’s Underwood Stakes meeting, noting their easy dislodgement.
These concerns resulted in RV stewards mandating the rail be shifted four metres outwards in the home straight, away from the area that had raised rider apprehension.
The Melbourne Racing Club stated on Tuesday that these turf plugs are grown on-site and are used to replace affected ground from previous weeks of racing.
Tanya Fullarton, CEO of the Melbourne Racing Club, commented on Tuesday that stewards had acted with undue haste in their decision to move the rail on Saturday.
“Saturday underscored the importance of ensuring that any concerns about a racing surface are appropriately assessed, with the necessary technical input, before significant decisions are made on race day,” the statement read. “The stewards were placed in an extremely difficult position, with concerns raised by jockeys less than an hour before the first race. With the limited time available, they were unable to properly consult with our track team about the purpose, installation, and condition of the plugs before making the incorrect decision to move the rail.”
“Our track team complied with that direction so the meeting could proceed, but this is not how these issues should have to be dealt with on race day. The new inspection process will give jockeys and participants confidence in the racing surface and allow any genuine concerns to be identified and addressed by stewards and race clubs well before racing.”
Fullarton added that the Club’s review following Saturday’s meeting found no safety issues and that the turf plugs had been correctly installed.
“The turf plugs were correctly installed, the track as presented was safe for racing and the rail did not need to be moved,” the statement read. “The track subsequently raced safely and fairly throughout the meeting. Dozens of exactly the same turf plugs remained on other sections of the track that continued to be raced on after the rail movement, with no issues for jockeys and horses. The jockeys clearly did not understand how turf plugs work. The jockeys’ claim that being able to pull the tops off the plugs somehow showed that the track was unsafe is nonsense. Turf plugs are routinely installed a few days before a race day and are always able to be physically pulled up, as grass plugs take at least two weeks to bind with the rest of the turf profile. This has been standard practice for over 25 years and is not a problem. They remain in place while horses gallop over them, with no risk to jockeys or horses.”
Matt Hyland, chief executive of the Victorian Jockeys’ Association, strongly defended his members who raised concerns after large clumps of turf could easily be lifted from the Caulfield track on Saturday.
“I’ve read the statement from the MRC and find some of the commentary extraordinary,” Hyland told Racenet. “I’ll back my members’ judgement on track surfaces all day, every day, and if they raise concerns around the safety and inconsistency of the tracks, it’s their workplace and they’re entitled to their views. I think the vision we saw on Saturday speaks for itself.”
Racing returns to Caulfield on Sunday for the Manikato Stakes meetings where the rail will be out 13m for the entire circuit. The rail was to be in the 10m mark, however after the rail was moved to 11m in the home straight for last Saturday’s card, this move will allow fresh ground. The MRC said the reason the rail was not moving back to the true position was to protect the track for the Caulfield Cup Carnival that commences on October 10.
For those looking to bet on the upcoming races, consider the available online bookmakers.