When will the straw finally come along and break the camel’s back? That is the question so many in the racing fraternity are asking, and, frankly, not soon enough and not LOUD enough. There are so many issues that the racing industry is dealing with, yes, but one that is reoccurring all too often, is apprentices going down the tubes and biting the dust, all of which reminds me of a rather appropriate song.
Sadly, this week, another apprentice will bite the dust in Sydney- a young boy who is not a Sydney native and had not even really moved to Sydney, but a week in the city of blinding lights was all it took for him to lose sight of where he was going and what he was doing and with whom.
One jockey who has tested positive in the past has been making an absolute mockery of the drug testing system in NSW by using frozen samples of ‘clean urine’ and tipping it in the cup. Even worse, this is the jockey that has led apprentices (including the most recent one) down the slippery and icy path he is down. There have been unconfirmed reports of this quarter-wit taking to the races along with his ‘clean samples’, paraphernalia to chase the dragon??!!
One does not have to be Einstein to figure out that he is riding under the influence.
Riding in races is dangerous enough, but to be in that state of mind and ride is just nonsensical.
Putting at risk his own life is stupid enough, but to show complete disregard to his fellow riders is just plain arrogance and ignorance.
Is Racing NSW going to hold another drug and alcohol seminar for apprentices and advise them to use counselors to help them through their tough times?
SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE- AND FAST!
Unfortunately for Maurice Logue, Ron Quinton, Malcolm Johnston and Pat Webster, Racing NSW has the final say. There have long been whispers that these four men and a number of other Jockeys and industry participants have been throwing around the idea of an Academy Style similar to the ones found in South Africa and Hong Kong.
One only has to look at the layout of the South African Apprentice Academy and their graduates to realize that maybe there are a few things that Racing NSW may want to adopt here in Sydney.
Let’s face it, gone are the days of Theo Green who would look after his apprentices like his own sons.
Masters that sign these kids up are only interested in them working their horses and the percentages they can get off them and it has long been said if you can get a good apprentice, it can be your best horse.
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