Of great concern to me over the years has been the practice of riders, both apprentices and senior, failing to ride their mount out fully to the line.
It may be argued that these riders feel their mount has had enough and they nurse the horse to the line costing many exotic bettors the chance of at least getting a collect which then can be reinvested on the next race.
Correct me if I am wrong but the current rules of racing require the rider to ride their horses to the line.
Sure, I am not suggesting that the hoop punishes a beaten runner with the whip, as, just as it is in other countries, jockeys are being encouraged to spare the horse any undue duress. In fact, you will notice that more riders are adopting the hands and heels method in the run to the line. This is fine but I am talking about a different category of riding altogether.
My point is the rider who may have an apparent winning break only to be run-down or swamped in the last 50 metres by a wall of horses.
Often, the rider will stand high in the irons in an apparently wind-down or slow down mode not giving any consideration to the army of punters out there who may backed his horse for the place or have it running in one of their exotic bets. Certainly, they are not crouched in a hard riding style trying to coax more effort from their mount.
To my chagrin this has been happening far too often recently and I am wondering what may be done to address this problem in racing wagering.
I would encourage feedback and details of similar happenings from fellow forum members.

Cheers

I am surprised that serious form students have not expressed their views about the annoying and wealth-costing practice of riders slowing down or easing down their mounts in the last 50 metres of races. This practice has cost many a punter a collect in their exotic bets.
I would like to hear the opinion of our Chief Steward on this matter.
Could we please clarify whether riders are required to ride their mount out to the line, giving consideration to the welfare of the animal also the welfare of the punter.
My query is certainly not confrontatial but, rather, a request as to how he views this apparently regular occurrence.
I viewed Sandown, Echuca and Bathurst races today and witnessed this practice on many occasions.

Cheers.

If anyone doubts my assertions I recommend they peruse......no!, study, Race 6 at Hawkesbury today 2.6.05.
Serious form students will have grave concerns, like me.
I will leave it at that!

Cheers.

Mate I don't disagree with what you are saying but I was give a nice kick up the ass on this forum before for rubbishing Jockeys and there rides so from now on I try to just leave it be.

Xanadu

I can't agree with you at all. I am not saying it never happens, what I will say it is not as prevalent as you say it is and Stewards are well on top of it.

One point. We have all seen the horse that appears to be cruising into the straight and when the jockey makes a move to ask for even more the horse does not have it, he is already doing his best.
Don't be fooled by a jockey riding style as to whether a horse is going flat or not.
I definitely haven;t seen a jockey stand up in the irons as you have asserted, and not be punished by stewards, if he was beaten.
Do you really want a reply from Chief Steward Murrihy, I think you know what the answers would be.

I am equally sure that you will still hold to your beliefs on this subject even if I could show you evidence to the contrary. As I will even having looked at your evidence. It's all a matter of perception.

That's fine, ....as, after all, this forum is about having open discussion(s) about different aspects of racing. Of course we will not always agree but we as individuals have the right to express our views.
I was going to start a thread relating to such rides named:"crock of the week" but I will take note of comments made by fellow contributors and let it rest for now.
Thanks for the feedback.

Cheers.