Ok, here is the update on the Santa Anita track, the world of horse racing in general, and what will probably take place.
And it’s not a pretty picture.
Santa Anita is the tipping point for change in our sport whether we like it or not.
And as sure as day follows night, Winx wins the QE Stakes, Christian loves Anastacia, and President Trump remains hated by all Democrats, change globally will follow once the dust of scrutiny settles.
And make no mistake, as of today, Santa Anita under enormous scrutiny.
The people in that part of the world woke this morning to find that the L.A. District Attorney’s office has launched an investigation into horse racing practices there. Primary to their search are three things: the unfortunate 23 deaths over the past 4 months; the modification of medication on race days, and the banning of whipping.
The Humane Society of the U.S, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Democrat Sen. Diane Feinstein have ALL called for the track to suspend racing until it understands what is happening. Republican Sen. Judy Chu, who represents Arcadia, where the track is located, has called for a congressional hearing and investigation.
If it does, and it should, close until the finding are made public, it means the Gr 1 Santa Anita Derby – a key lead-up to the Gr 1 Kentucky Derby in May – will not be run.
But while the deaths are the catalyst for the investigation, Lasix and whipping are on the agenda too, and now that Pandora’s Box has been opened – those topics will engulf the general public.
And the one thing we in the horse racing business do not and never want, is about to happen. That is the burdensome, giant weight of public opinion will start making noise.
And I’ve been banging the damn drum for a while now saying the tide of public opinion, and remember there are far, far many more people who do not like horse racing than those who do, will win this battle.
Non-racing people see whipping as simply being cruel. And while scrutiny itself will reveal Australian racing has way less wastage (death) than U.S. racing does, and that our medication rules are the best in the world (not allowing anything to be administered on race day), they will focus on our whip rules.
It is inevitable and don’t dare attack the messenger anymore please.
So I’ve proposed a rule change, a whipping modification that just might suit all parties. Keen to hear your thoughts please.
We all agree jockeys should carry whips. And from the moment they climb on board in the mounting yard and until their mounts turn for home in the race, they should be allowed to use the whips accordingly to help the horse be safe, be focussed and be determined.
From the home bend until reaching the winning post, there is to be NO whipping. Slaps down the shoulder are allowed.
In this way, no austere body can make a complaint about cruelty. No horse will run any slower after this modification is applied. The better jockeys will go further ahead as cream rises to the top, and there will be less falls in the home straight – because riders will stay balanced and control their mounts better.
Win, win, win for all! Again I repeat my mantra, Australian racing officials MUST get in front of this tsunami of public disapproval.
Because, can we really justify whipping just to satisfy our need for entertainment?
If our racing officials can’t show they are very serious about bringing the practice down, the public will lose its tolerance for our sport.
