7ST. 7LB. MINIMUM FOR JOCKEYS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 147, 9 July 1937, Page 9

7ST. 7LB. MINIMUM FOR JOCKEYS

-Own Correspondent.)

Desired Object Would Not Be Achieved MR. J. S. McLEOD'S VIEW

(By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, This Day. Comment upon the 7st. 71b. minimum for jockeys in handicap flat races is made by the president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, Mr. J. S. McLeod, in his annual report presented to-day. Last year, at the expressed wish of the Hon. W. E. Parry, M.P., Minister of Internai Alfaira, said Mr. McLeod, the conference paesed a resolution r^commending all clubs to prescribe a minimum weight of 7flt. 71bs. in the conditions attached to aii handicap flat races. He was pleased to state tnat all clubs had loyally carried out that recommendation. As the result of many objections to the 7st. 71bs. minimum weight the executive committee decided to call upon all clubs, handicappere, aud licensed trainers, to give their opinions either 'for or against the 7st. 71bs. minimum, and to state reasons for the opinion given. "The result of this consultation is that only thirteen clubs out of 93 favoured the 7st. 71bs. minimum," he said. "Only one handicapper was in favour, eimply for the reason that the three clubs he handicaps for were unable to procure lightweight riders in their particular distriet. One other handicapper (Mr. J. E. Henrys) favoured a 7st. minimum in the two principal flat race handicaps on each day, and a 7st. 7ibs. minimum in other flat races except those in which apprentices are eligible to ride when the minimum he favoured was 7st. 51bs. Of all the licensed trainers consulted only seventeen were in favour of the 7st. 7lbs. minimum. There is not the slightest doubt that there is an overwhelming majority of clfubs, handicappers, and licensed trainers against the adoption of a 7st. 71bs. minimum weight in handicap flat races." Riding Feos. Mr. McLeod gave the following comparison of the riding fees earned by jockeys and apprentice jockeys for ten months up to May 31 last year under the 7st. minimum ae against the same period this year under the 7st. 71b3. minimum, the latter figure being given in parenthesis: — Number of jockeys 255 (244), number of apprentice jockeys 95 (112), number of starters 13,154 (13,482), gross riding fees £35,582. 9/9 (£40,019 4/6), amount earned by jockeys £26,819 15/9 (£31,928 4/10), amount earned by apprentice jockeys £8762 14/- (£8090 _ 19/8). Summary: Gross riding fees increased by £4436 14/9, jockeys' riding fees. increased by £5108 9/1, apprentice jockeys' riding fees decreased by £671 14/4. "These figures unquestionably support the opinions expressed by a great majority of licensed trainers, that they weie findiug it very difficult to obtain ridee for their apprentices, and further embarra/ssraent in securing the cmployment of lads on account of their reduced earning power," said Mr. McLeod. "The 7st. 71bs. minimum acts very harshly on the moderate horses, and their number is legion, as no haudicapper will crucify the good horse •for the moderate one. Good-class three-year:olds are also badly placed, especially in the spring — the good claes two-year-olds- of the previous year are weighted well above weight-for-age, and owners and trainers are averse to racing three-year-olds under those conditions." Apart from those salient facts due consideration had been given to the humanitarian side of the question which was the object of the Hon. Minister 's wish for the 7et. 71bs. minimum, eontinued Mr. McLeod. The method of train,;ng practised by jockeys to reduce their weight consisfts of three methods, the use of which depends entirely on the constitution of the jockey — the use of aperient medicine, sweating and a light diet. While some constitufcions are muclx injured by the use of aperient medicines, others require large and frequent doses. Again^ with Teference to exercise, eome are capable of going long distances in the sweater3, while others are neither able to perform, nor, indeed, do they require severe exercise. It was therefore ampossible to lay down any flxed rule with regard to either of those methods ■ of reducing weight. Strong walking exercise in the sweaters with absteiniousness at table ehould be preferred by the jockey to the excessive use of medicine to reduce weight, being' eerta/mly not bo injurious to his health as the latter, and greatly teuding to hicre°se the muscular powers of his body. Health axxd Strength. As to what efleet abstinence aud sweating induced by clothing and loug walks has upon the health and strength, medical opinions are that neither the one nor the other i« impaircd when that metkod of reducing is had recourse to in moderation, but when carried tq excess, both of co-urse must be fore or less sffected. To the question: "Are jockeys, accustomed to severe wastlugs, healthy and long-livedi " Medical lueu reply: "Their health doos not apj.ear to .be injured by wastings, nor docs the continuance of life appear to be affected by it." A person continually employed as a rider ie less fatigued by riding and has more strength to contend with a deteraiined horse, in a severe race, when moderately reduced than when allowed to live as he pleases. "I think to-day that tho tried increased minimum weight of 7sl. 71bs. has beeu an ineentive for the older, matured, particularly good jockeys, to try to get thoir weight down to 7st. 71bs., where'as they wouid not think of ui'fuiptiug to rcduce to 7st. " concluded Mr. McLeod. "From a humanitarian point of view 1 think the 7st. 71b3. lainimuin has iucreased the number of jockeys sweating, and using other methofls oL: reducing weight. With all due respect to the Hon. W. E. Parry 's wishes for a 7st. 7ibs. minimum I am satisfied that the result he desires would not be achieved by adopting the ,7fit. 71bs. minimum weiglxt."