KEY POINTS:
The Department of Labour has called for an overhaul of track safety at horseracing courses, following the serious head injuries prominent jockey Judy Lawson suffered lastyear.
It wants jockeys to have a greater say in the decision to race and says the future of Rangiora track where Lawson fell needs further investigation.
Lawson was injured in a fall when her mount, Strike It Lucky, slipped on the wet turf during a race at the track near Christchurch in October. The race meeting had been postponed from the previous day because the track was slippery.
It was the fourth serious incident at Rangiora since 2001.
Lawson was in a coma for 12 days and was later transferred to the brain injury unit of Burwood Hospital in Christchurch. Her recovery remains slow. Another jockey, Tracey Newton, was also injured when her horse crashed over Lawson and her fallen mount.
Newton was taken to hospital and later discharged.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) conducted its own inquiry into the fall, apportioning no blame and saying that Lawson's mount simply slipped.
Lawson's husband, Gary Lawson, described that report as a "whitewash".
The Labour Department investigated the incident and concluded no deliberate action was taken by the stipendiary steward in charge of the meeting to place jockeys at risk.
"However, a further practicable step could have been taken to formally involve jockey representatives in the decision-making, which may or may not have affected the decision to allow racing," said the department's acting chief adviser on health and safety, Bob Hill.
The department has called on NZTR to implement changes to reduce the likelihood of a repeat incident.
These include:
* Establishing a formal procedure for situations when issues of track safety have been raised on race day or at trials. This procedure should involve jockey representatives, trainer representatives, the racecourse manager, and stipendiary steward.
* Decisions by stipendiary stewards not being made until they have considered input from all of the above parties.
* Implementing these procedures, including a system for ensuring compliance and addressing incidents of non-compliance.
* Addressing the suitability of the Rangiora track for future racing.
Racing Minister Winston Peters backed the recommendations.
"All practical steps must be considered to avoid tragic injuries such as those suffered by Judy Lawson. We all wish her a full recovery."
Mr Peters, who has previously expressed concerns about poor facilities and tracks at some racecourses, urged clubs to take advantage of the annual $1 million safety fund announced in the Budget.
"The Racing Safety Development Fund offers dollar-for-dollar support for projects that improve the safety and quality of racecourse facilities."
Mr Lawson said last night that he was unhappy with the report.
"The family is extremely disappointed with it."
He did not want to say anything more than that at this stage.
He said his wife had had a "pretty average" week. "She's battling. It's a day-by-day thing and we have to keep at it."
- NZPA
