Jockeys will have to satisfy the clerk of scales today before they race for the Auckland Cup. Photo / Steven McNicholl
Jockeys will have to satisfy the clerk of scales today before they race for the Auckland Cup. Photo / Steven McNicholl
Meet the man who makes sure riders have their kilos right.
In the competitive world of horse racing, one kilogram can make all the difference.
Clerk of scales Ken Sanders is there to make sure jockeys are within the correct weight range before they mount their horse and hit the track.
Operating the scales at 90 race meetings each year, Mr Sanders joins other specialised staff such as farriers, stipendiary stewards, tote operators and equine blood-typers in an industry that employs more than 15,000 people a year.
Mr Sanders lives near Hamilton but travels to race meetings throughout New Zealand to make sure jockeys meet the specified weight requirements before each race.
He ensures riders are carrying all the gear they will have when they ride the horse.
"I have to make sure they haven't left off anything by mistake, or sometimes if they are struggling with their weight they might try to leave it off."
If a jockey didn't meet the requirements, or exceeded the 0.9kg leeway, they could be fined up to $500.
"There have been one or two in the past that have tried to weigh out with not all the gear they ride with because they struggled with the weight, so it's my job to pick up on that.
"Once, I had a guy try to ride off without his saddle."
Mr Sanders works full-time as a sales rep, fitting the race meetings into his spare time. He began working with horses as a 10-year-old and dabbled in training before taking up the scales about 14 years ago.
As he was the sole clerk at each event, the job could be stressful at times, he said.
Fashion judge Chloe Moo holding the Auckland Cup. Photo / Sarah Ivey
"You have to be focused. They all come at you in a very short space of time to weigh in and weigh out."
What's on
Today *Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day at Ellerslie Racecourse *Gates open at 11am, first race 1.10pm. General admission $20, free for children under 15 Tomorrow *Auckland Cup greyhound racing at Manukau Stadium *Gates open at 4pm, races start 5pm. Free admission and parking. Friday *Harness Cup & Derby night at Alexandra Park *Entry from 5pm, first race 5.25pm. Free general admission, hospitality packages available from $30 to $135 per person. Saturday *Diamond Day at Ellerslie Racecourse *Gates open 11am, first race 12.45pm. General admission $10, free for children under 15.
