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Innovation push fine with Racing Victoria chief steward Rob Montgomery

Racing Victoria chief steward Rob Montgomery says ideas such as jockeys giving television broadcasts last-minute thoughts on the way to the barriers could become a reality.

Racing Victoria chief steward Rob Montgomery is all for new ideas to attract a younger audience. Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images
Racing Victoria chief steward Rob Montgomery is all for new ideas to attract a younger audience. Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Could jockeys give the final word on their mounts’ chances on their way around to the barrier before each race?

New Racing Victoria chief steward Rob Montgomery says such a scenario could become a reality.

Montgomery, who took over as RV’s chief steward earlier this month after Robert Cram’s retirement, is a fan of any innovation that improves racing.

Montgomery understood the need for the racing coverage to develop new ideas to increase the sport’s reach among new audiences.

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“They’re trying to find new ways to get followers and bring in a younger audience and I’m all for it,” Montgomery said.

“Innovation is great if it’s going to help the sport.”

Montgomery’s thinking stemmed from his work alongside former jockey Chris Symons to bring footage taken from cameras mounted on jockeys’ helmets to television screens in previous carnivals.

“I was involved when Chris Symons came to us in relation to introduce the jockey-cam years ago,” Montgomery said.

“I’ve sort of helped them implement that during the spring carnival.

“Although the trainers aren’t talking to the jockeys during the race, the jockeys are miked up and recorded, which is released after a race meeting.

“Innovation has progressed for some time but it’s just about getting it to the next step.”

Footage taken from cameras mounted on jockeys’ helmets have become part of major raceday television broadcasts. Picture: Channel 7
Footage taken from cameras mounted on jockeys’ helmets have become part of major raceday television broadcasts. Picture: Channel 7

Racing Victoria chief executive Andrew Jones recently caused a stir among punters and participants when suggesting trainers could talk to jockeys during races in a manner similar to Formula 1 race engineers speaking to drivers during a race.

That idea drew plenty of criticism but Montgomery said there were other possibilities that could give viewers another piece of information to aid their viewing experience.

“I don’t know whether it will get to the stage where they’ll be able to ride in a race and talk to trainers,” Montgomery said.

“But there will be nothing better than having a jockey miked up going around to the barrier and finding out what’s going on with the horse and how it feels prior to racing.

“Maybe the microphone goes off when they go into the barriers, I don’t know.

“It has to be worked through but I think it can be.”

Montgomery noted the addition of shooting races from cameras mounted on drones was another technological improvement that had great possibilities for the sport.

He said stewards would continue to work with Racing Victoria on any suggestion, adding he had no doubt integrity standards could be upheld alongside technological advancements.

“Absolutely, we can (hold up the highest standards of integrity),” Montgomery said.

“Every year, things are getting better and technology is getting better.

“We’ve got to keep moving forward, I reckon.”

Originally published as Innovation push fine with Racing Victoria chief steward Rob Montgomery

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/vic-racing/innovation-push-fine-with-racing-victoria-chief-steward-rob-montgomery/news-story/ddfe5213aab0c56774641f00f82d1587