‘Extremely extraordinary’: Moody miffed over Jabez access
He’s the best thing in racing to come out of Tasmania since The Cleaner’s heroics.
Jabez Johnstone left the Apple Isle for Melbourne, where even their winters are better than Tasmania.
Johnstone is a jet. He has ridden only for Ciaron Maher since his move to Victoria, with great success. Just last week he ride a treble at Bendigo after tasting metropolitan success during the winter.
He’s still not perfect, but considering he is still claiming 2kg, can ride at 49kg, has been lauded by some of the great jockeys as a future star.
So what happens when another trainer wants to use the 20-year-old’s expertise – and no doubt his claim?
Well, that’s a no go. Johnstone will only ride for Maher moving forward, as one leading trainer found out.
The arrangement came to light when Peter Moody tried to book his services for last weekend’s meeting at Caulfield on Butternut Princess.
Moody said he was then left with a situation he found ‘’extremely extraordinary’’.
‘’We weren’t looking to claim on Buttercup Princess to be quite honest. And when we realised the gun Tasmanian Apprentice now attached to the Ciaron Maher stable, Jabez Johnsone was available, we tried to secure him,’’ he told Moody on the Mic.
‘’But for the first time in my career, I was told that he wasn’t allowed to take outside rides. He’s only allowed to ride for the Ciaron Maher.
‘’I’m not sure if that’s something set in stone by his management or his trainer or the trainer that he’s on loan to Ciaron Maher. I find that very obscure.
‘’Are they trying to protect his claim? Is it only allowed to be utilised by the Maher stables?
‘’I found that extremely extraordinary. And in my time as a trainer, it’s never happened to me before.’’
Moody’s usual apprentice Emily Pozman was suspended, as was young-gun Luke Cartwright. Ben Melham eventually got the ride on Butternut Princess, who finished 7th.
Betsy has since been told Johnstone doesn’t even have a racing manager while based in Victoria and will indeed only ride for Maher. Which given the horses at his disposal, could provide a terrific spring for the Tasmanian.
Politics is a brutal business
The Melbourne Racing Club is about to enter election season, and it comes as no surprise that in racing politics, drama is never far away.
Word has it that one experienced candidate nominated for election, then withdrew their candidacy after what we hear was an animated meeting earlier this week, which included leaders of the club.
It’s fair to say there is no love lost between the two parties and there are accusations from both sides around why that’s the case.
It’s a situation that could become public and messy.
There is quite a few interested on-lookers – from the upper echelons of business, wagering, racing and politics, not to mention club members – watching to see what happens with the MRC elections.
The club, Betsy is told, are keen for smooth election process that would see those up for election returned.
Talk fest, minus the casual punter
The bigwigs of racing and wagering have converged in Melbourne this week for a talk-fest, better known as Backing The Punt.
Or as one cynic told Betsy – ‘’It’s a great opportunity to listen to the leaders of our industry have mature and engaging conversations about the best paths forward for our sport.
‘’Then, despite having the power to make said changes, we’ll all go away and forget all about it.”
The conference in fairness does include some big names in racing administration, as well as some bosses of a few wagering companies and others who are experts in their field.
They even managed to convince Betsy’s own Matt Welsh to front-up and moderate a panel.
Which begs the question – did organisers reach out to casual punters or race goers to seek opinions on the great game?
No doubt punters were there this week – but we’re talking big, professional types rather than those who could further grow the sport.
The number one goal for for the administrators of racing and the clubs is growing and grabbing new punters, especially the younger sport fan.
We did a quick straw poll of a few casual punters we know, and added a few idea of our own to get new punters into the great game.
I reckon the easiest wins for casual punters are simple.
Entry to racecourses should be free, shorter gaps between races, create content that makes racing simple and fun, market the sport as an entertainment option, embrace all debate on your sport to drive engagement so it ain’t seen as just a betting bonanza, and the easiest – no schooner on any track should be more than $8 [some are more than $16!].
And an old bug-bear – definitely ensure those who trek out to a racecourse can hear the actual race call!
Weir to from here
Darren Weir’s long ban from racing ends next week and the once master trainer’s next move will be fascinating.
Betsy has long reported that the Racing Victoria board would be 100/1 to licence Weir again, should he even wish to train.
Bruce Clark, who is close to Weir, wrote on Wednesday he doesn’t expect him to return to training anytime soon.
”But it is my understanding that Weir’s immediate focus is on going back to pre-training and to underpin his showcase farm before making any consideration to professionally train again and submitting an application that would be in the hands ultimately of the Racing Victoria Board after licensing committee recommendations,” Clark wrote.
You can read his full story here.
Who would be a punter
Not speaking through my wallet, but who would be a punter after watching Somethings Burnin’ at Sandown on Wednesday. It drifted late and hard, but it’s a tough watch.
Sandown Race 3 | Tolaga Bay
In a dash home, Tolaga Bay fends off Somethings Burnin’ to remain unbeaten from two starts ✌🏻
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/HEhdpozFmy pic.twitter.com/5pMG5oqpIi— Racing.com (@Racing) September 2, 2026
Trainer’s empty pockets
Word has it one trainer had a serious punt on their much-fancied runner on the weekend. To their dismay – and punters around the country – it bombed.
Ambitious or deluded?
Which self-appointed pariah has their sites on a bigger job in racing?
