(Rod Gallegos is a veteran presenter and commentator with Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio.)

With apologies to erstwhile passionate punters (of the comic opera variety) Willie Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, it is worthwhile reiterating that evergreen and apt mantra: 'Let the punishment fit the crime'.

Naturally, I am referring to the disqualifications of 15 months for Blake Shinn and 12 months for Peter Robl after breaching the rule of racing that prohibits jockeys from betting.

Sure, betting for jockeys is against the rules and, as such, deserves some form of penalty.

However, disqualification?

Banning a person from going on to any race track in the world and destroying their capacity to earn a living is the most severe penalty that can be imposed - regardless of the duration.

In financial terms the cost to these two jockeys would be mind-boggling. Also bear in mind their foray into the field of punting in the main was unsuccessful.

A fine and, maybe, because of the extent of the bets, a brief suspension would have been much more reasonable.

And what about poor Kathy O'Hara? She copped a $2500 fine for chatting to her boyfriend Blake on the mobile while she was confined to a racecourse jockeys' room.

It transpired she had no connection and it was purely a social call. A few sweet nothings on the phone costing $2500 constitutes, in anyone's language, a red-hot line!

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The recent state election in Victoria may have not only given jumps racing a lifeline, it may be completely rejuvenated.

Former Shadow Minister for Racing, Dr Denis Napthine, the expected Racing Minister in the new government, has declared his unequivocal support of jumps racing and that dark shadow that has hovered over the sport for the past few years may be replaced by a ray of sunshine.

And so it should.

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It is no secret I am a fan of women jockeys and the performance of Lisa Cropp last Saturday in Melbourne is worthy of praise.

Her winning treble was achieved with style and panache. The satisfaction she enjoyed may have helped erase the humiliation she endured when roundly criticised for what was perceived to be a poor ride on Miss Finland in the Cox Plate.

Since having moved to Australia from New Zealand she has started to make an impact.

You could say she was the cream of the crop at Moonee Valley last Saturday.

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Perth still commands much of the spotlight this Saturday with the running of the Kingston Town Classic.

Playing God, a well-credentialled local, is the pre-post favourite. Deservedly so because of its past two wins. However, I suspect a form improvement is looming for the Patinack Farm-owned Trusting.

On his day he is an accomplished racehorse and I reckon he is primed to make his presence felt this Saturday at double-figure odds.

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On Sunday the attention returns to the east coast with the $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic.

Likeable, larrikin trainer, Neville Layt, hasn't lost the knack of producing a smart youngster and his filly Karuta Queen will be tough to beat.

While Nifty Nev may not have a large team he operates on the basis that quality always beat quantity. The NSW TAB has a $20,505 BIG6 jackpot on the BIG6 at Wyong.