AGAINST a backdrop of uncertainty, indecision and negativity, jumps racing yesterday successfully took the first of many giant leaps forward in its future-defining season.
Supporters and participants know 2010 could be the famous sport's last but on a fine summer's day an air of optimism wafted across the scraping sheds at Warrnambool's racecourse as 25 horses schooled over hurdles.
Veteran trainer and avid jumps enthusiast Quinton Scott, a normally reserved, quiet man, had a spring in his step as he paced the concrete waiting for reports from riders about the prospects of his jumpers.
Under a baking sun, yesterday was the first time trainers had a chance to take jumpers to a course in the Western District for work over obstacles since the sport plunged into crisis late last year.
First, 2010 was to be the sport's farewell season under a Racing Victoria Limited decision in November. But 55 days later the governing body gave a reprieve of sorts, opening the door for 2011 if strict targets for falls, fatalities and starters per race were met this year.
For 63-year-old Scott, yesterday was about sending a message to the decision-makers. He took a team of horses to the track, including two unraced four-year-olds. He wanted to see if they showed any promise over obstacles.
"They have never had the opportunity, they are just young horses and we'll see if they are good enough," he said.
"The opportunity to school is the best opportunity you can get ... this is good they have the opportunity, they need more of it. If jumps are going to survive you have to have more of these, you have to put the hard yards in."
Scott said he had a team of eight jumpers, split between his Koroit and Cranbourne stables.
"I'm still positive and trying to support the industry. If you are going to stay in the industry, you have to be positive. If they want to whinge about it, don't be in it. Either be in it and be positive or get out.
"We have to give it our best shot, we are only going to get one chance. And this (schooling days) is what you have to do. You have to put these facilities up and try and eliminate all the problems."
Winslow's Ciaron Maher, a former jumps jockey, who had his best season as a trainer last year, saddled up nine horses for the schools, including dual Brierly Steeplechase winner Al Garhood.
Maher revealed four of his team were new horses who had been sent to him by owners he had never trained for.
"I probably didn't expect to have that amount of new ones," he said.
"I had a pretty successful season last season and on the back of that I thought I would get some extra horses. Even with the indecision (about the sport's future) people still sent them off, which is a good sign."
He used yesterday to help fine tune his horses before the season starts on April 6. He has been using logs in a nearby public park and at his property to ready his chargers.
"When they are jumping they are using different muscles. If you put them straight into a trial or a race they can pull muscles. You just have to get their systems going and keep their muscles supple."
Warrnambool trainer David ''Butch'' Londregan, a four-time Grand Annual Steeplechase-winning jockey, was a bundle of energy as he waited for his pair of runners to take to the track.
Wearing a blue singlet and smoking a cigarette, Londregan was delighted to be back on track.
"It's been boring," he said laughingly of the off-season.
"It's a good turn-up, as long as they keep rolling. We have to get the numbers," he said more seriously.
He advertised in an industry magazine wanting horses he could lease for jumping careers.
Later this week two are due to arrive at his Allansford property, bringing his team to four, three of which are untried over obstacles.
"You've got to try them," he said.
Young Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde used the opportunity to reacquaint three jumpers with the obstacles.
He too has a potential untried jumper in the stables. "It shows you there is enthusiasm and support for jumps racing. You would think a lot of owners would have given it away with everything ... but that is not the case," Wilde said.
All horses successfully negotiated hurdles yesterday but trainers, jockeys and owners know there will be many more obstacles to clear for the sport to continue beyond this year.
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