Aid for safer racing

By Peter Sweeney
RACING Victoria will buy a second set of obstacles aimed at increasing the safety of jumps racing – the hottest and most divisive issue in the industry.
The “new-look” obstacles – which RV claims have halved the fatality rate of horses in jumps racing in Victoria since March last year – will be located in the western districts.
“This will allow for further trialling and training to assist in the education of horses and riders, while helping maintain the integrity of existing obstacles,” RV said in a statement.
It is part of a three-year funding package RV has put into jumps racing in the state.
RV has committed to funding nearly $9 million in prizemoney over the next three years – and will also grant money annually to the Australian Jumping Racing Association to administer the sport.
The RV commitment comes on top of the recent announcement of a $2 million jumps funding package over four years.
Besides the buying of another set of obstacles, a jumps racing workshop will be established to improve riding skills and safety and a rider development scholarship be launched to promote second tier riders.
Meanwhile, RV has completed a review of spectator safety at racecourses following the incident at Warrnambool during the May carnival when a horse crashed into spectators, injuring some.
Racing Minister Denis Napthine has agreed to four recommendations to be implemented immediately, including safety inspection of perimeter fencing by clubs and identifying the risks posed to spectators by loose horses.