Right: Victorian racecourses are still well-patronised, as shown by the crowds at Oaks Day, during the Spring Racing Festival. However, it is generally conceded that jumps racing will eventually be abandoned and only "flat" events will be held.
web links and documents
Internet informationOn June 23, 2008, the animal welfare group, Animals Australia, released a press statement calling for the banning of jumps racing in Victoria. The statement was in response to the death of Turbo Charged after a jumps race at Casterton. This was the eighth horse fatality up to this point in the Victorian 2008 jumps calendar. The release lists the details of all the other animal deaths. It can be found at http://www.animalsaustralia.org/media/press_releases.php?release=101
On June 28, 2008, following the disastrous Grand National Hurdle at Flemington, Animals Australia released another press statement in which they responded to the most recent events and gave an overview of what they believe are the failed attempts to reform the sport. This media release can be found at http://www.animalsaustralia.org/media/press_releases.php?release=102
On June 29, 2008, The New Zealand Herald presented a news report on the running of the Grand National at Flemington. The report makes specific reference to the difficulties and deaths that occurred as a result of the race and gives a brief overview of some of the problems facing jumps racing in Victoria. The report can be found at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=53&objectid=10518929
On June 30, 2008, the ABC's 7.30 report ran a segment dealing with the current problems faced within Victoria's jumps racing industry. It presented the views of those who would see jumps racing banned and those who support its continuance. The full text of this program can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2008/s2290222.htm
On July 3, 2008, the online magazine Racing and Sports published an analysis and comment titled, 'Jumps races under spotlight again'. The piece outlines the probable reasons behind the recent large number of horse deaths and comes to the quietly regretful conclusion that jumps racing in Victoria will ultimately be banned.
The full text of this article can be found at http://www.racingandsports.com.au/racing/rsNewsArt.asp?NID=130645
On July 1, 2008, the online magazine Punters Paradise outlined the new nine-point reform plan that has been developed to improve safety in jumps racing. The article is titled 'Nine-point plan to help save jumps racing' and can be found at http://www.puntersparadise.com.au/news/?ContentID=1615&ContentTitle=Nine-point+plan+to+help+save+jumps+racing