Racing Victoria extends talks on future of jumping
Jumps racing's white knight, Melbourne Racing Club vice-chairman Mike Symons, yesterday made a submission to the RVL board, urging it to ensure the sport's future beyond this year.
In the submission, industry participants agreed the sport needed to be judged on the rate of falls, fatalities and the number of starters per race.
They also outlined a need for changes to the obstacles and a series of other initiatives aimed at preventing horse falls and fatalities.
Late yesterday RVL chief executive officer Rob Hines issued a three-paragraph statement announcing no decision would be made on the sport's future after the meeting.
"A decision has not yet been made on the proposal and we will continue our discussions with Mike Symons," Hines said.
"As discussions remain on-going, no interviews or further statements will be made on the matter at this time."
RVL communications manager Shaun Kelly refused to be drawn on what the delay in an announcement meant.
"You read into it what you want," he said.
Warrnambool Racing Club chairman Marg Lucas believed the delay could be promising.
"I can only hope it is a positive thing and there are things in the proposal they weren't aware of that they can get some comfort from in making a decision to continue jumps racing," she said.
Lucas believed the 100 per cent support from the racing industry, which was outlined in the submission, was a positive the board had to consider.
Symons and Australian Jumps Racing Association president Rodney Rae could not be reached for comment.
from The Standard
