(ROD GALLEGOS is a leading commentator with Racing Sky Channel).

Memo Danny Nikolic: Take a tip from an old mug, there are no dividends in declaring war on the racing stewards.

Nikolic, a jockey possessing ample verve, vigour and vitality, is too often tending to give vent to volatility and vehemence in the stewards room. And that's unfortunate.

His latest barrage directed at chief steward, Terry Bailey, after a 13-day suspension was handed down, indicates a hot-headedness that needs to be curbed.

While he may feel aggrieved, he has to learn to cop it sweet. After all, his appeal was partly successful as he had the 13 meetings reduced to six and now he is free to ride at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

However, believe me Danny, swimming against the tide or spitting into the wind is a fruitless pursuit. Let your rich riding talents answer the inquisitors.

There is an old but still useful saying often told to me by my grandfather - a shut mouth catches no flies!

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It's to be hoped jumps racing in Victoria secures at least a three-year extension, to spite the concerted campaigns by a vocal minority to have the sport eradicated.

Already racing is saddled with outrageous whip rules and if the do-gooders get their way and jumps racing is outlawed, what's next?

Show jumping? Eventing?

Another annoying possibility is that there may be further infuriating incursions to debilitate flat racing.

From my experience, people involved in racing are genuine horse lovers, not some evil ogres as they are painted by some detractors.

For the life of me, I can't think of any sport that is scrutinized as scrupulously as racing. We don't need any extensions of these policies of rigid-policing.

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Leading Sydney jockey, Nash Rawiller, has emerged from his sick-bed after a bout of pneumonia and he should have a spring in his step. More importantly his spring season looks particularly bright.

Thesio is a top ride for Rawiller in the Warwick Stakes, the feature race in Sydney on Saturday. It is a worthy feature and figuratively it bristles with talent.

My fancy is that grand performer, Sniper's Bullet. A seven-year-old he has traversed the country and when resuming from a spell wasn't disgraced when third to the slick galloper, Love Conquers All.

With a useful second up record, Sniper's Bullet should be ready to fire.

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The pending return of AJC Sires Produce Stakes winner, Yosei, poses an interesting question: Why doesn't Michelle Payne get more opportunities in Melbourne?

More than just a petite figure and pretty face, she is a talented jockey. Remember last year when she landed her first Group 1 success on Allez Wonder in the Toorak Handicap and then became the first woman jockey to ride a Group 1 winner at Randwick on Yosei in the Sires Produce.

You would think that male chauvinism would have disappeared from racing in these modern times but women in Australia still struggle for overall acceptance.

New Zealand, though, has a popular contingent of the once-referred-to fairer sex. Sam Spratt, Sam and Tasha Collett, Danielle Johnson, Lisa Allpress and Trudy Thornton are just a few females who have multiple rides at race meetings on a regular basis.