CHRISTCHURCH - Champion apprentice Michael Walker is among the critics of a plan being proposed to have two New Zealand jockey premierships - but he is not going to lose any sleep over it.
It has been suggested different premierships operate for the North and South Islands but Walker said he was among the central districts jockeys not backing the idea.
"I would prefer it to stay as it is and the central districts area will go that way," Walker said. "But it's not a problem as far as I am concerned. They can do what they like."
Walker has equalled Opie Bosson's national seasonal record for an apprentice of 128 wins and South Island riding opportunities have made it possible.
Fellow rider Jim Collett has tabled a request to New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to change the historic national premiership because of what he said is unequal opportunities.
However there may be a hidden agenda in the request, which has been backed by top riders like Lance O'Sullivan.
The senior northern riders are becoming sensitive about the premiership power shift to the central districts, from where last year's winner, Darryl Bradley, and this year's sensation Michael Walker come.
If the proposal were successful, wins in the South Island by northern jockeys would not count in the northern premiership and vice versa.
Senior southern riders Lance Robinson, Paul Richards, and Damian Browne support the proposal.
Leading southern jockey Judy Jamison had mixed feelings, and also rejected a Sunday newspaper report which suggested a separate southern premiership would help her gain a sought-after contract in Asia.
"I'm not interested in going to Asia at any stage. It's the last place I'd want to move to," said Jamison, who is two wins ahead of Browne among southern riders.
However Asian rules may have a role behind the scenes of the northern jockeys' proposal.
To ride in top Asian circles like Singapore and Hong Kong a jockey must be one of the top five rated riders in his or her own country. Until recently it was the top 10.
Central districts jockeys' association executive Darryl Bradley will oppose the move - and South Island clubs are bound to agree with him.
He points out that other jockeys are able to travel to more meetings if they want to, including those in the north.
John Phillips, the president of the New Zealand Trainers' Association calls the plan ridiculous.
The proposal also does not appear to consider that Riccarton is an A grade course, which runs several rich group races including both major guineas events.
- NZPA
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