False starts

Desert Orchid

Senior Jockey
Joined
Aug 2, 2005
Messages
25,762
Four goes to start the staying hurdle at Leopardstown there and the one that was allowed to go was arguably the worst.

I have some sympathy with starters but sometimes they don't help themselves. They're certainly not helped by jockeys.

But I do think sanctions for jockeys causing a false start need to be brought in. They're trying to get an unfair advantage so, in that regard, are they any different from jockeys that break the whip rules?

I would advocate that if a jockey causes a false start he should be told to start from behind the others when they regroup. That might be difficult to police if more than one is 'at it'.

Maybe a one-day ban for the first offence, a two-day ban for a second one and a four day ban for any more might make them think twice?

Any ideas?
 
Worst still are slow from the stalls on the flat. In Hong Kong they note jockeys this happens to and expect them to explain if it happens too often.
 
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