BRITISH HORSERACING AUTHORITY'S WORKING PRACTICES CALLED INTO QUESTION

J MARGARET CLARKE TURFCALL COMMENT

http://www.turfcall.co.uk

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL RUNS FROM TUESDAY MARCH 13th THROUGH TO FRIDAY MARCH 16th 2012. THERE ARE IN FACT ONLY

TWENTY DAYS LEFT.

IT COULD BE SAID that time has yet again seriously run out for the bloodhorse illiterate regulation powers that be within the BHA. They have allowed their working practices to fail both themselves, and the rest of us yet again. And in allowing this to happen have made things very difficult indeed. All these bloodhorse literate horsemen preparing to compete for this Festival not knowing what to expect. As happened a week before British Champion's Day in October 2011. This is not acceptable regulation practice.

THE AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL MEETING RUNS FROM

THURSDAY APRIL 12th THROUGH TO SATURDAY APRIL 14th

NOW 50 DAYS AWAY -  SEVEN WEEKS AWAY.

IT COULD BE SAID THAT THE BHA HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME TO CHANGE ANYTHING AT ALL FROM TODAY THEIR WORKING PRACTICES FAIL EVERYONE INCLUDING THE HORSES.

BY RIGHTS THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST A SIX MONTH

 TRIAL PERIOD ALLOWANCE OVER ANY AND ALL

BLOODHORSE LITERATE RIDING TACTICS CALLED INTO QUESTION.

WHAT MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN AGAIN AT EITHER OF THESE MEETINGS IN ANY AND ALL RACES IS:

IF a rider exceeds the present number of hits and wins the race he has to know before he goes out to ride that if he allows this to happen he will be placed not first but last. That should be punishment enough. Everyone needs to know this at least one week before both of these meetings. All punters must know this and should by rights know this now as it will effect all anti-post betting. Punters already know who the whip jockeys are, and need to stear well clear of them when considering making a bet.

GRAHAM GREEN "BHA TO DISCUSS BITTAR'S

WHIP PROPOSALS

"NEW chief executive Paul Bittar will be proposing amendments to the whip rules at today's BHA board meeting in a bid to avoid controversy at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

"The proposals, which follow informal discussions between Bittar and Professional Jockey's Association chief executive Paul Struthers, do not herald a major overhaul of the regime introduced last October but are instead expected to concentrate on the penalties for minor offences, and also on encouraging local stewards to employ more discretion when dealing with riders who exceed the permitted number of strokes.

"If the amendments are agreed in principle it will represent a significant step towards defusing what remains a contentious issue in the weighing-room.

"BHA spokesman John Maxse said last night: "One of the items the board meeting will consider will be proposals for amending the whip rules that have been developed by Paul Bittar, who believes two areas need reviewing, namely the proportionality of penalties and the potential for greater discretion to be used on course.

"We're obviously conscious of the time-frame, and the objective is to have whatever changes are approved in place before Cheltenham, but the amendments will still require more work after tomorrow's board meeting."
END

JMC TURFCALL COMMENT

BLOODHORSE LITERACY PERSPECTIVE DIRECTION

Firstly there has to be an aim to clarify what British horseracing is attempting, hoping to achieve over the next few years.

There is already a series of British races that stipulate hands and heals riding only. This practice needs to become the accepted way forward. If so, the use of the whip should find it's own balance within that framework.