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

Earlier this week, rigid racing rules regulator, Ray Murrihy, described the use of illegal safety vests as having reached epidemic proportions - a dire situation.

We are talking about human life or, more correctly, human survival.

However, is there more to the situation than jockeys trying to crib a bit of weight?

There have been complaints from jockeys that the vests are uncomfortable and, if that is so, it may be necessary for the racing authorities to look at some form of modification.

Murrihy, though, doesn't seem at all impressed with the "uncomfortable" claim by jockeys.

It is all very well to slap the offending jockeys with $1000 fines. But it strikes me as perplexing that the vests are not excessively heavy and the alterations jockeys make provide only a minimal difference.

Would that not suggest there is more to the issue than a weight differential? It's at least worthy of closer investigation. 

Another sad blight on racing these days is the recurrence of drug offences among jockeys.

Young Josh Adams is the latest to fall foul of the felony of drug taking and, as a consequence, he will lose a valuable seven months of his burgeoning riding career.

While racing officials can't legislate for stupidity there obviously is a dire need for some stringent anti-drugs education for the young jockeys.

To put it bluntly many may be swayed to the illegal substances because alcohol tends to put on weight - a considerable concern for these generally diminutive sportsmen.

***** 

AS THE Brisbane winter carnival edges closer to a climax on Saturday with the Oaks meeting a lamentable lack of staying horses is apparent when the Group Two Eagle Farm Cup (formerly the O'Shea Stakes), a 2200-metre weight-for-age test, has attracted a field of only six.

Previously the O'Shea was a vital lead-up to the Brisbane Cup, but that was when the Cup was a 3200-metre race.

***** 

NEW SOUTH WALES galloper, Sincero, has drawn barrier one in the QTC Cup and another win will elevate him to outright favouritism for the Stradbroke Handicap a week later.

One of Sincero's opposition is the 2009 Magic Millions and Golden Slipper winner, Phelan Ready. It is almost inconceivable that Phelan Ready hasn't won a race in 15 starts since the Slipper.

He did show a glimpse of better form back in January when third in the Goldmarket at the Gold Coast, however, he is first-up on Saturday.

Nevertheless I think I will chance my arm with a bit eachway and hope he can turn around his disappointing form.

***** 

AS for the Oaks, the New Zealand filly Shez Sinsational has a strong form line in her home country and at quite attractive odds she may prove hard to beat. She certainly gives the impression she can stay and the highly experienced Kiwi, Opie Bosson, will be on board.