Baster worried by apprentices’ workload
Senior jockey Stephen Baster says the workload faced by apprentices is potentially putting other riders at risk and needs to be reviewed.
Baster, the chairman of the Victorian Jockeys’ Association made the comments after apprentice Regan Bayliss was suspended for careless riding and a whip breach at Flemington on Saturday.
Baster pointed out he and Bayliss had both ridden trackwork and trials at Flemington on Friday morning before Bayliss headed to Swan Hill for seven rides.
He said the apprentice didn’t arrive home from Swan Hill until 9.30pm and was back at trackwork on Saturday morning at 4am before riding at Flemington.
“I had the luxury of sitting on the couch and watching Swan Hill,” Baster said.
“These kids are doing too much and it’s an accident waiting to happen.”
Baster said apprentices were given the morning off trackwork if they had ridden at a meeting the previous night.
Bayliss was suspended for 10 meetings on a careless riding charge aboard the heavily backed Wall Street Wolf who finished third in the L V Lachal Handicap.
He was also fined $1000 for being five strikes over the allowed limit before the 100m mark on Wall Street Wolf.
Bayliss has been referred to the Racing Victoria skills panel as it was his ninth breach of the whip rule since January which has cost him almost $3000 in fines.
Fellow apprentice Beau Mertens was suspended for six meetings for careless riding on Lady Selkirk in the Trevor Clarke Handicap.
His suspension begins after a 14 meeting ban incurred at Sale on Wednesday.
He can return on July 2.