RACING NSW stewards yesterday sent a timely reminder to jockeys not to embrace, shake hands or contact anyone before they weigh in.
Hugh Bowman and Jim Cassidy were both fined $100 under Australian Rule Of Racing 144, which deals with making contact with connections on return to scale before weighing in.
Bowman was fined after winning on Coolring in the TAB Place Multi Handicap and Cassidy after he partneredBarbed to win the Canterbury Classic.
Racing NSW chairman of stewards Ray Murrihy said the rule was enforced in NSW every time there is a breach.
Murrihy said jockeys are not allowed to shake hands with anyone until they have weighed in.
“The rule is there and it is there for a good reason,” Murrihy said.
“We’re not suggesting this happened in these two cases, but if someone wanted to transfer an item to another person and they’re allowed to hand shake well …
“While the rule is there those who breach it will be penalised. Once a jockey has weighed in they can shake hands with everyone on the course if they wish.”
Murrihy said stewards would reconvene on Tuesday an adjourned inquiry into the ride by apprentice Sam Clinton on More Precise In the Class 1 & Maiden at Hawkesbury on December 14.