Racing: Jockeys give safety device thumbs up

A crucial decision will soon be facing New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.

And it won't be whether jockeys should use the safety stirrup device known as Toe Stoppers.

It will be whether to make their use compulsory.

And if that direction is taken by the board of NZTR it would seem to have little option but to give jockeys an additional half a kilogram allowance to incorporate the Australian-manufactured Toe Stoppers in their riding gear.

That seemingly small issue is what appears to be keeping the safety device from being made compulsory in Australia.

Although the 0.5kg allowance has so far been turned back in Australia, there is acceptance that it would be grossly unfair to expect jockeys, already struggling as a group to maintain weight levels, to incorporate the additional 200g to 220g into their allowable weight.

Toe Stoppers are well named. The device fits over the front of the stirrup iron, preventing a rider's foot from slipping through the iron and possibly being hooked in there and then being dragged.

New Zealand's most recent racetrack death, two months ago, happened when Sam McRae was dragged by his mount with his foot trapped in the iron.

The Toe Stoppers were officially trialled in New Zealand for the first time at Hastings races on Saturday.

Overwhelmingly, jockeys were were in favour of their use.

Queensland-based Toe Stopper designer Adrian Morgante took his device to the Hawkes Bay meeting and chief stipendiary steward Noel McCutcheon encouraged jockeys to use them.

"I think they are a very, very good attachment," said McCutcheon.

Senior riders Hayden Tinsley, Bruce Herd and Darryl Bradley were all in favour of the Toe Stopper.

Adrian Morgante is an ex-jockey who developed the attachment after nearly being killed when dragged behind his mount following a race accident.

Morgante, who believes Toe Stoppers would have saved Sam McRae's life, asked each jockey for their opinion after using them at Hastings.

Interestingly, many riders felt they assisted with balance.

The responses to the statement 'What I liked about Toe Stoppers':

Jade Rogers: "I liked the fact that when I had to drive my horse out I could put all my weight on my toes and my feet didn't slip in [to the stirrup iron]."

Bruce Herd: "Safety."

Daniel Bothomley: "Felt a lot safer. More support when riding [my horse] out."

Darryl Bradley: "Happy about the safety factor. Comfortable. Better balance. Could not fault them apart from what they weigh."

Hayden Tinsley: "More confident, more balanced."

Vanessa Johnston: "You can't notice them. They gave me good balance. I felt safe."

Keil Collins: "More support when a horse pulled. Gave more balance when riding a horse out."

Mark Barnsley: "Comfort, balance, support and safety, [but] we need a weight allowance."

Robert Hannam: "Comfortable and felt safe. Found them easy to use [even though I] normally ride with more foot [in the iron]. Great for balance and support. We need a weight allowance."

Sean Collins: "Felt safe, well balanced and supported. We would need a weight allowance."

Bruce Herd, Darryl Bradley, Hayden Tinsley, Keil Collins and Mark Barnsley all included in their reports that they had been dragged by a horse in their careers.

"I was hooked up after a trial and hit three uprights on the rail while being dragged 80 to 90 metres," said Herd.

McCutcheon likes the Toe Stoppers for their safety.

He wants to trial them on a couple of jumps jockeys at Hawera races today before compiling a report to New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.

"The jumps jocks generally put their feet further into the iron."

Many jumps riders have the bottom plate of the stirrup iron back to the arch of their feet. The Toe Stopper prevents that, which is essentially the reason for its safety, but jockeys believe the apparatus provides better balance and putting the foot that far into the iron may not therefore be necessary.

Toe Stoppers have been tried successfully over jumps in Australia.

Traditionally in this part of the world racing's bosses have been loath to encompass any move that allows jockeys a weight concession, despite the fact that the average New Zealand bodyweight has been increasing steadily.

Many believe that is a significant factor in the dramatic decline in the number of males looking to take up a jockey apprenticeship over the last decade.

Indirectly, jockeys received a slight concession five or six years ago when 1kg was added to all weights at weigh-out to take in the introduction of safety vests. The heaviest vests weigh only 600g and jockeys were able to use the additional 400g to their advantage.

So many of today's jockeys, like Opie Bosson, struggle to maintain an appropriate weight. Bosson gave riding away earlier this season and has yet to make a decision on whether that is permanent.

Toe Stoppers

* The Australian safety device for jockeys was trialled by a number of jockeys at Hastings races on Saturday.

* All approved, but felt the additional weight they created would need an allowance by racing officialdom if they were made compulsory.

* Toe Stoppers will be trialled by jumps jockeys at Hawera races today.