Chief steward Kim Kelly says the Jockey Club will not consider the issue of pacemakers in the wake of Sunday's Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby, calling their use in other jurisdictions 'as a blight on racing'.
Kelly was responding to comments by champion trainer John Moore regarding the farcically slow pace, which ruined the chances of many fancied runners and several returned from the race with injuries after being galloped on by horses racing behind them.
David Ferraris' beaten favourite, Sweet Orange, was also galloped on from behind by one of Moore's runners and was hampered by the slow pace before finishing a close third.
The use of pacemakers to ensure a proper tempo for a better-fancied stablemate in races like the Derby is a legitimate tactic in Europe.
The tactic usually involves announcing pre-race that a lesser light from the same yard as one of the favourites will be used to ensure the early speed is solid, then virtually retire from the race as his trainer's more serious chances overtake him, although they have been known in some cases to keep going and win. Kelly quickly dismissed the idea the Jockey Club should even investigate the idea.
'Our rules don't allow for pacemakers - we expect all runners in any race to employ tactics with the intention of winning or obtaining the best possible place in the field and that isn't going to change,' Kelly said.
'And, if you are asking me for a personal opinion, the use of pacemakers in other jurisdictions is a blight on racing. Once you cross the line into allowing a horse to be ridden as a pacemaker for a better-fancied stablemate, you are allowing that horse to be run in a manner which may not be in its own best interests, and then I think you cross into very dangerous territory.'