Only apprentice jockeys for races

Mumbai: Seeking clarification on providing the call records and bank statements during alleged offence inquiries, the Jockeys’ Association of India (JAI) has refused to accept rides at the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC). As a result, only the apprentice jockeys will be seen in action during the Mumbai races on Thursday, March 9.“At a meeting during the last Pune Season, stewards had told us that it was the prerogative of a jockey to share his call records and bank statement and that no jockey would be victimised in the event he does not provide the same,” JAI wrote to RWITC. “But unfortunately, a jockey has been suspended recently for six months and the charge sheet mentions that he needs to hand over the bank statement and call records to prove his innocence. This means that a jockey may be punished for not providing the same despite the earlier assurance given by the stewards, so we feel insecure about riding under such circumstances,” a JAI statement added.JAI president Pradeep Chouhan, told TOI: “We have no objection to any jockey being suspended for offence, but asking for bank statements and call records is illegal under the law of the land and stewards had told us that it would not be binding. Yet they are demanding that, so we need clarification before accepting future rides.” Ram Shroff, chairman of stewards, told TOI he is confident about settling the issue soon.Ashutosh Singh, a regular punter, criticised the idea of RWITC going ahead with only apprentice riders for Thursday’s races, saying the decision is not punter-friendly. “They are inexperienced riders and that might affect the performances of in-form and good horses. And also, some horses do well only under certain established riders. This might cause us losses.”