Retired champion jockey Damien Oliver is set to collaborate with track management to preemptively address any issues that might emerge, following the disruptions experienced at Caulfield last weekend.
Following discussions with Racing Victoria, Oliver will, for the remainder of the Spring Carnival, conduct pre-race day inspections of tracks alongside track managers. Any identified safety concerns will then be escalated to RV stewards for assessment and the determination of necessary corrective actions.
Jockeys expressed apprehension regarding ‘turf plugs’ inserted into the Caulfield track prior to the Underwood Stakes meeting on Saturday, noting they could be easily dislodged.
These concerns prompted RV stewards to mandate a four-metre shift of the rail in the home straight, moving it away from the area of rider unease.
The Melbourne Racing Club stated on Tuesday that these turf plugs are cultivated on-site to reinstate areas that have been subjected to racing in preceding weeks.
Melbourne Racing Club Chief Executive Officer Tanya Fullarton commented in a statement on Tuesday that stewards had acted prematurely in their decision to adjust the rail on Saturday.
“Saturday highlighted the critical need for thorough assessment of any racing surface concerns, supported by appropriate technical expertise, before making significant race-day decisions,” the statement conveyed. “The stewards faced a challenging situation, with jockey concerns surfacing less than an hour before the initial race. Given the limited timeframe, they were unable to adequately consult our track team regarding the plugs’ purpose, installation, and condition before erroneously deciding to reposition the rail.”
“Our track team adhered to the directive to ensure the meeting could proceed, but this is not the ideal method for resolving such matters on race day. The new inspection protocol will instill confidence in jockeys and participants regarding the racing surface and enable genuine issues to be identified and resolved by stewards and race clubs well in advance of racing.”
Fullarton added that the Club’s post-meeting review on Saturday found no safety risks, confirming the turf plugs were installed correctly.
“The turf plugs were installed correctly, and the track presented was safe for racing, rendering the rail adjustment unnecessary,” the statement affirmed. “The track subsequently hosted races safely and fairly throughout the event. Numerous identical turf plugs remained in other sections of the track that continued to be raced on after the rail was moved, without incident for jockeys and horses. The jockeys’ apparent lack of understanding regarding turf plug functionality, and their assertion that the ease of removing plug tops indicated track unsafety, is baseless. Turf plugs are typically inserted a few days before a race day and are naturally easy to lift, as they require at least two weeks to integrate with the existing turf profile. This practice has been standard for over 25 years without issue, and the plugs remain in place during gallops without posing any risk to riders or horses.”
The Victorian Jockeys’ Association chief executive, Matt Hyland, strongly supported his members who voiced concerns after substantial turf sections were readily lifted from the Caulfield track on Saturday.
“Having read the MRC’s statement, I find some of the commentary quite remarkable,” Hyland informed Racenet. “I have unwavering faith in my members’ judgment concerning track conditions, and when they raise safety and consistency issues, it is their workplace, and they are perfectly entitled to express their opinions. I believe the footage from Saturday speaks for itself.”
Racing is scheduled to resume at Caulfield on Sunday for the Manikato Stakes meetings, with the rail positioned 13 metres out along the entire circuit. The rail was initially slated for the 10-metre mark, but following Saturday’s adjustment to 11 metres in the home straight, this wider placement will provide fresh ground. The MRC indicated that the rail is not being moved back to its true position to safeguard the track in anticipation of the Caulfield Cup Carnival, which commences on October 10.
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