Retired former champion jockey Damien Oliver will collaborate with track managers to address any prospective problems following the disruptions at Caulfield last weekend.
In consultation with Racing Victoria, Oliver is scheduled to inspect tracks on the day preceding race meetings for the remainder of the Spring Carnival. Any safety issues identified will be communicated to RV stewards for assessment and the determination of necessary remedial actions.
Jockeys voiced safety apprehensions concerning ‘turf plugs’ that had been installed at Caulfield before Saturday’s Underwood Stakes meeting, noting that they could be easily removed.
These concerns led to RV stewards directing that the rail be shifted four metres outwards in the home straight, moving it away from the area that had caused unease among riders.
The Melbourne Racing Club stated on Tuesday that these turf plugs are cultivated on-site and are used to replace affected ground from previous weeks of racing.
Tanya Fullarton, Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Racing Club, commented on Tuesday that stewards had acted prematurely in their decision to move the rail on Saturday.
“Saturday demonstrated the importance of ensuring that any concerns about a racing surface are properly assessed, with the appropriate 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, staunchly 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 is scheduled to return to Caulfield on Sunday for the Manikato Stakes meetings, with the rail to be positioned 13 metres out for the entire circuit. The rail was originally planned for the 10-metre mark, but after being moved to 11 metres in the home straight for last Saturday’s card, this wider placement will provide fresh ground. The MRC stated that the rail is not being moved back to its true position to protect the track for the Caulfield Cup Carnival, which commences on October 10.
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