Steeple Takes a Tumble

Melbourne’s jumping season fell at the first hurdle when Sandown racecourse workers scratched the steeplechase from Wednesday’s card on safety grounds.

Workers Online understands Victorian stewards supported the action of AWU members who slapped a Provisional Improvement Notice on heavy, outdated steeples that have led to cuts, bruises and back injuries.

Track staff not only have to erect the heavy fences, constructed from half logs and topped by plastic brush, but they have to get them down and off the track before chasers return for their run to the post.

AWU secretary, Bill Shorten, said there would be no steeplechases at the course until the club dusted off new, lightweight models sitting in its storeroom.

"You can bet on that," he said this week.

"We have been advised the club has new, improved fences and we can't understand why they aren't using them.

"The old model is cumbersome and heavy and our members have sustained a range of injuries in getting them off the track in time. If they took too long, the horses would be back around and everyone would be in trouble."

Shorten said the AWU has raised the condition of the Sandown steeples, last season, and been assured replacements would be on track for this week's start of the metropolitan jumping season.

The ban came four days after race clubs, riders and industry participants joined forces to honour hundreds of jockeys who have lost their lives in race falls.

At nearby Caulfield, a memorial statue was unveiled and racegoers around the country respected a minutes' silence.

For the record, Wednesday's steeplechase was hurriedly replaced by a 3000m highweight, taken out by the Eric Musgrove-trained Super Cobra at 20/1.

Workers Online understands the gelding is being set for Oakbank's Grand Easter Steeplechase where, hopefully, the club will comply with health and safety requirements.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:38 EST