Clean the Stable – Fill the Bank by... anon

Clean the Stable – Fill the Bank

With the advent of Globalization, Racing South Africa has the opportunity to set itself apart from competitors and attract new customers by marketing itself as the ‘cleanest’ racing jurisdiction in the world.

A complete clean-out of the ‘stable’ is needed if this is to be achieved. For this to happen the NHRA need to revisit their existing rules and begin to apply them in earnest if they are to save the industry.

Possible actions that could aid :
• Barrier trials for horses that are rested or have yet to run.
• Sectional timing to be introduced and races that are run at false pace to be investigated thoroughly.
• Absolute application of the ‘in and out’ rule(dramatic form reversals need immediate inquiries)
• Mandatory jockey and trainer reports of all horses regardless of finishing position or market position post race. (published on request)
• Published racing weights of all horses to become an industry standard.
• Sealed riding instructions to be collected pre race (opened post race and action taken if there are obvious and unnecessary transgressions)
• A minimum of 3 hours of work riding mandatory for all jockeys per week.
• Strict application of prohibited substance rules- Punitive action to move away from suspended sentences. First offence - stable suspended from nominating any runners for a period of 30 days. Second offence - stable suspended for three months . Third offence stable suspended for six months. Fourth offence warning off.
• Vets guilty of breaching substance rules to be treated in a similar fashion.
• All jockeys to ride horses out with hands and heels until after the line regardless of position in race unless there is a danger of injuring their mount at which point saving the animal is the first priority.
• The notion of ‘prep’ runs to be policed in earnest.
• Major betting moves to be investigated.
• Random raids on stables to be increased.
• Neglect/abuse of horses to result in suspension of training license upon the first offence (no suspended sentence)
• Stricter and more random drug/alcohol testing on jockeys and grooms.
• Horses that repeatedly ‘stride’ short in a race to be vetted and action taken to prevent future injury to the animal. (and exponentially fiscal loss to the punter). Horses that repeatedly loose more than 4-5 lengths at the start – three strikes your out.
• Any vet/trainer found guilty of scratching a horse without valid medical grounds to face punitive suspension for a period of no less than one month.
• Any jockey found guilty of not giving his mount every chance to place in a race to face punitive suspension of no less than three months upon first offence.
• Investigation into the establishment of Punter’s Association that could liase with the NHRA if complaints were brought to them about suspected illegal practices etc.


The above list is a basis from which to launch the ‘clean out’ and could be expanded is future.

The aim of this seemingly draconian and fascist approach will no doubt terrify many people in the industry. The Bottom Line is however far more important than pulling off the proverbial ‘coup’ – if South Africa could be the industry leader with a 40-45% favourite strike rate, the Global punter would see this product as a premier one and pools would rocket as would stakes etc. The Forex generated could be just the ticket to save the industry.

Imagine all of the above come into effect in our world,that will be fucken amazing

Big changes needed,throw the tins of WHITEWASH away!!!

ha ha pipe dreams, rolling with laughter.......i wish though it could become true.

Racing for change in the Uk has turned out to be a big damp squib,the big decimal change over,was endorsed by 3 or the 50 or so oncourse bookies at Ascot,like the big numbers on the saddle cloths though...

Have been thinking about this issue,and it is fairly obvious that few punters are aware of rules,that if enforced would reduce the unpredicability of racing.(Not eliminate it cos the nature of the beast makes some inevitable)

I now intend to start a couple of threads a week setting out rules for discussion and after a few weeks ,you decide whether the NHA is fulfilling its mandate!