A week ago this contentious issue was highlighted when a Queensland apprentice, Patrick Keane, was first past the post at Eagle Farm on Gold Rating. He weighed out correctly with 55.6 kilograms but after the race weighed in at 54.74 kilograms.

Australian Rules of Racing stipulate that a rider can be afforded half-a-kilo (ostensibly for the bridle) but even with this, young Keane still was under correct weight; his mount was disqualified and runner-up Mr Light Blue elevated to be the winner.

Punters, who supported Gold Rating, did their dough!

It would seem to be a much fairer outcome if Gold Rating was declared a non-runner; the bets refunded and the appropriate deductions made to the placegetters. Just like a horse being withdrawn at the start or a horse failing to secure a fair start from the barriers.

The punters who support a horse that weighs in light are the innocent “hams” in the sandwich. They backed the horse in good faith and through no fault of their own had no hope of winning, regardless of how the race panned out.

Sometimes in racing, regrettably, old rules die hard and altering this anomalous regulation probably would sink into the “too radical” waste paper basket. Pity!

Rumour and innuendo unfortunately are as much a part of racing as that age-old phrase silks and saddles.

Sometimes, the damaging whispers can have career-harming affects. Fortunately, young jockey Brenton Avdulla has overridden the waves of controversy and come through relatively unscathed.

A while back, potentially harmful rumours circulated, linking Avdulla to a well-known punter – an allegation, incidentally, he strenuously denied.

Although, thankfully only briefly, the opportunities seemed to dry up, young Avdulla stuck to his guns and proceeded to ride more winners.

Last Saturday he further confirmed his resurgence with a winning double at Rosehill.

A case of sticks and stones, I suppose.

Now for our weekly pursuit of the punt this Saturday.

At Canterbury, there may be an air of irony in this but I am backing the veteran jockey Robert Thompson on Youthful King in race six.

Thompson only makes spasmodic forays to the metropolitan area but rarely goes home to Cessnock empty handed.

Youthful King resumed from a spell to run home well for fourth at the end of 1100 metres at Wyong. The slight step up to 1250 metres may be advantageous.

And in race 7 at Canterbury, I like Belski in the 1900 metre test. He has been racing well at the provincials and his past two Wyong starts have produced a win at 1350 metres and a game 1600 metre second. He may find the 1900 metres of this to his liking.

At Sandown the promising three kilogram claimer, Jake Duffy, rides for top trainer Peter Moody on Ben Zena. A winner at this track in July, he resumed from a spell for three minor placings, the most recent was over 1400 metres at Caulfield.

Of course on Friday night at Moonee Valley all eyes will be on that mighty mare Black Caviar as she tries to extend her career record to 17 straight wins.

We may never see the likes of her again and we should savour every moment of her record breaking race assaults.

Not only is Black Caviar probably the best sprinter I have seen, Peter Moody deserves equal admiration for the manner in which he handles the pressure of preparing a horse like her.

A proud product of Charleville in outback southern Queensland, Moody has that laconic laid back attitude that may mask the natural apprehension he must feel every time she steps onto a race track.