Sport - Racing : Horse

Striking jockeys lose ground

BANGALORE May 18. History repeated itself in glorious detail as shades of the 1977 jockeys strike resurfaced at the Bangalore Race Course this afternoon though the issues then and now are quite different.

At the root of the controversy is the introduction of shock absorbing whips. The JAI has steadfastly maintained that its members are not willing to use this variety of whips. Instead they prefered to go "no whip'' today, a bargain that was not accepted by the trainers, leading to a strike situation and total disruption of the declarations made overnight.

As most of the declared jockeys chose to sit out, confusion reigned for a while before the Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr. Raman and his colleague Mr. Robin Corner swung into action and swiftly and smoothly went about the task of finding replacements.

On one hand there was this group of jockeys who on specific instructions from the owners fell in line and carried the new whips. Along with apprentice jockeys readily available they formed the core group. There were a couple of notable last minute switchovers from the striking wing to the other side. For example, Mallesh Narredu and Appu saw reason quickly enough.

The striking jockeys huddled themselves in the Jockeys stand and even booed those returning to the unsaddling enclosure after the running of the first race. But the worst by then was over and the striking lot had not only lost face but also lot of ground along with whatever little sympathy they had.

With the trainers united and firm that the jockeys intending to ride should use the specified whip, there were innumerable last minute changes in the declarations but mercifully no disruptions.

There was discernible unease in the stands over these developments with most of the punters openly criticising the jockeys for precipitating the issue. The general consensus seemed to be that the jockeys had chosen the wrong path to air their grievances.

The striking jockeys are unlikely to return to work tomorrow. Indications from JAI are that it is seeking a legal recourse middle of next week. Meanwhile the BTC is bracing itself to deal with the situation as effectively as it did today. With a pool of nearly 30 jockeys who are willing to ride with the new whip, and a couple more expected to cross the floor, the BTC sees no threat to racing at all.

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