WEIGHT OF JOCKEYS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19372, 9 July 1937, Page 10

WEIGHT OF JOCKEYS

NEW RULE CRITICISED MTXEMUM IN DOMINION OBJECT NOT BEING SERVED (Rpcrinl to the Herald.) WELLINGTON, this day. "Last year, at the expressed wish of the Hon" VV. E. Parry, M.P., Minister of Internal Affairs, the conference passed a resolution recommending all clubs to prescribe a minimum weight of 7st 71b in the conditions attached to all handicap flat races. I am pleased to state that all clubs have loyally carried out this recommendation. As the result of many objections to the 7st 71b minimum weight, the executive committee decided to call upon aIJ clubs, handicappers, and licensed trainers, to give their opinions either for or against the 7st 711 s minimum, and to state reasons for the opinion given," said the president of the Racing Conference, Mr. .J. S. McLeod, in ilie course of his address to the conference to-day. "The result of this consultation is that only I.'! clubs out of 93 favoured the 7st 71b minimum; only one handicapper was in favour, simply for the reason that the three clubs he handicaps for were unable to procure lightweight riders in their particular district. One other handicapper, Mr. J. E. Henrys, favoured a 7st minimum in the two principal flat race handicaps on each day, and a 7st 71b minimum in other flat races except those in which apprentices are eligible to ride, when the minimum he favoured was 7st 51b. Of all the licensed trainers consulted, only 17 were in favour of the 7st 71b minimum.

"There is not the slightest doubt that there is an overwhelming majority of clubs, handicappers, and licensed trainers against the adoption of a 7st 71b minimum weight in handicap flat races.

Trainers' Difficulties "The figures relating to riding fees unquestionably support the opinions expressed by a great majority of licensed trainers, that they were finding it very difficult to obtain rides for their apprentices, and further embarrassment in securing the employment of lads on account of their reduced earning power.

"The 7st 71b minimum acts very harshly on the moderate horses, arid tneir number is legion, as no handicapper will crucify the good horse for the moderate one. Good class three-year-olds are also badly placed, especially in the spring—the good class 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. Humanitarian Side "Apart from these salient facts, due consideration has been given to the humanitarian side of the question, which was the object of the Minister's wish, for 7st. 71b. minimum. The method of training practised by jockeys to reduce their weight consists of three methods, the use of which depends entirely upon the constitution of the jockey.. It is impossible to lay down any fixed rule with regard to the methods of reducing weight. "As to what effect abstinence and sweating induced by clothing and long walks has upon the health and strength, medical opinions are that neither the one nor the other is impaired when that method of reducing is had recourse to in moderation, but when carried to excess, both of course must be more or less affected. Medical Opinion "To the question: 'Are jockeys, accustomed to severe wasting, healthy and long-lived?' medical men reply: j 'Their health does not appear to be I injured by wasting, nor does the continuance of life appear to be affected by it.' A person continually employed as a rider is less fatigued by riding and has more strength to contend with a determined horse, in a severe race, when moderately reduced, than when allowed to live as he pleases. "I think to-day that the tried increased minimum weight of 7st. 71b. has been an incentive for the older, matured, particularly good jockeys, to try to get their weight down to 7st. 71b., whereas they would not think of attempting to reduce to 7st. From a humanitarian point of view I think the 7st 71b minimum has increased the number of jockeys sweating, and using other methods of reducing weight.

"With all due respect to the Hon. W. E. Parry's wishes for a 7st. 71b. minimum I am satisfied that the result he desires would not be achieved by adopting the 7st. 71b minimum weight."