Barrier Trials – Coastal Jockeys Association Responds

Certain members exercising right not to ride

Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac was interviewed in the Winning Ways show on Monday evening in regard to, amongst other items, jockeys’ non remuneration for Barrier Trials.

 Click here – watch Michel Nairac on the Winning Ways show

This statement was issued by the Coastal Jockeys Association on Wednesday

As a result of Gold Circle (“GC”) unfortunately and prematurely taking matters into the public domain whilst there were still unresolved on-going discussions, we the Coastal Jockeys Association (“CJA”) believe it incumbent upon us to respond thereto in order to rebut, refute and to advance our own views on the matter of barrier trials.

There are members of our Association, which comprises jockeys from the WC, KZN and EC regions, who feel very strongly that we should as professionals, be remunerated for participating in what is essentially a sole Operator, single racing jurisdiction, initiative.

Whilst there are some who will regard our stance as being avaricious, to equate riding work with an actual race and the dangers attached thereto, albeit it under slightly different conditions, is a tad exaggerated.

It must also not be lost sight of that we have been riding in these barrier trials without any compensation for over 6 months already.

We wish to make it clear that we are not expecting owners to fund our riding fee, but rather the Operator who have implemented these “unofficial” races. It is also worth considering that there are jockeys who regularly participate in these trials, yet fail to obtain any regular rides, thus struggling to earn a living, when even workriders get remunerated.

Barrier trials are run under the Rules and Constitution of the National Horseracing Authority (“NHA”) despite the fact that these rules cannot be properly policed, nor implemented.

We find it incongruous that the NHA can apply rules selectively for instance that a rider does not have to “ride his horse out to the end of a race” a contravention of Rule 62.2.4 and do not have to “take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout a race to ensure that his horse is given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing” a contravention of Rule 62.2.1 better known as “the pulling up” rule, to cite but two examples.

The stipes recently wanted to fine a senior jockey for an alleged rule contravention in a barrier trial, but who refused to sign an AOG in regard thereto and was told that he would now be subject to an Inquiry.

Further, proper weight regulations in respect of merit ratings are not enforced with many horses participating at massive WFA disadvantages which punters are meant to automatically have the prerequisite knowledge of.

In reality, the only people benefitting from barrier trials are bookmakers who contribute zero to these actual events, and certain professional punters.

The vast majority of punters many of whom still use newspapers as a form guide and who do not have the necessary tools to properly digest and assimilate the necessary information, have no chance of assessing the barrier trial form. ‘

On 23 May 2018 for example, we had Mitra Music win race 3 who had finished last beaten 12,5 lengths in her barrier trial.

Mitra Music wins on Wednesday – look at her barrier trial!

This all has the effect of severely prejudicing the ordinary punter whom GC are purporting to assist and protect and is the very reason they instituted these trials in the first instance.

The CJA are all for disseminating and affording the punter as much information as possible in an endeavour to have a level playing field and to help boost turnovers, but this is having the opposite effect.

We are advised that it is a fact that turnovers in respect of horseracing and sport is 60% fixed odds (read bookmakers) and 40% tote. However, the actual contribution to the racing industry is 88% tote and 12% fixed odds, so it is beyond dispute that barrier trials are doing nothing for improving tote revenue that is the very engine that ultimately creates stakes.

Paul Lafferty

Paul Lafferty –

Whilst Mr Paul Lafferty may well be the GC designated trainer’s representative, he also wears a GC Director’s hat, so cannot possibly speak for all as there are several vastly experienced top local trainers who are vehemently opposed to these trials, in addition to the Independent Owners Association headed up by Mr Brian Burnard.

Even though there is a national tote comprising three Operators being Phumelela, Kenilworth Racing and GC, the anomalous situation is that a KZN trainer can take an unraced horse or a horse that has been off the track for 150 + days and race in other racing jurisdictions in SA without having to first run in a barrier trial.

This bizarre situation is explained away as being a local Operator condition, but which in our opinion is arguably unconstitutional.

Greyville polytrack

We are advised that should any jockeys choose not to participate further in these events due to the reluctance by GC to pay our requested discounted riding fee, that they will direct trainers to utilize the services of apprentices in our absence. Whilst this is clearly their prerogative, we trust that owners, trainers and punters will be satisfied with such arrangements.

In finality, whilst we are truly appreciative of all that the Operators do for us, until our pertinent issues are adequately dealt with to our satisfaction, certain CJA members will be exercising their right to no longer participate in any further barrier trials.

-issued by Coastal Jockeys Associatiion on 23 May 2018

Have Your Say - *Please Use Your Name & Surname

Comments Policy
The Sporting Post encourages readers to comment in the spirit of enlightening the topic being discussed, to add opinions or correct errors. All posts are accepted on the condition that the Sporting Post can at any time alter, correct or remove comments, either partially or entirely.

All posters are required to post under their actual name and surname – no anonymous posts or use of pseudonyms will be accepted. You can adjust your display name on your account page or to send corrections privately to the EditorThe Sporting Post will not publish comments submitted anonymously or under pseudonyms.

Please note that the views that are published are not necessarily those of the Sporting Post.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
7 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Share:

Facebook
WhatsApp
Twitter

Popular Posts

Good Newsbreak: Direct Exports From SA To EU Approved!

This amendment places South Africa’s African Horse Sickness (AHS) free zone back on the Annex IV list as an authorised zone within South Africa from which registered equines are authorised for direct entry into the EU following the required in-country pre-export quarantine period

Read More »