Inventor of the plastic running rail, Daniel Mawby, stands proudly beside his world-first product. 21 Picture: Luke Plummer.
By Glen Atwell
DANIEL Mawby first contemplated designing a plastic running rail 10 years ago.
But, it was a race-fall at Werribee in 2006 that convinced him to turn idea into reality.
Mr Mawby has spent the last two years developing a PVC plastic running rail after seeing jockey Damien Oliver suffer facial injuries when his mount crashed through a steel running rail during a race.
The Cranbourne Training Complex plumber wants to improve safety, and jockeys have already given his plastic design the thumbs up.
Mr Mawby’s invention was unveiled at the Cranbourne Training Complex a week ago, and he has already received interest from racing clubs in Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales for the product.
“The phone has been ringing,” Mr Mawby said.
“But before I take the plastic rail anywhere else, I want to make sure that Victorian jockeys and horses are as safe as possible.”
Racing Victoria financed the $152,000 project and expects to install plastic rails at other Victorian racecourses, including Sandown Racecourse, before the end of the year.
The plastic rail design features a kick-out system, which allows the uprights to become free from the underground base during an impact.
Mr Mawby said the product was steel-free, UV-resistant and even aerodynamic.
“When a jockey and horse hit a steel rail at 30 km/h, the impact is serious, like a car accident. It’s a sudden stop,” he said.
“If a horse hits the plastic rail at 30 km/h, it will come out the other side at 26 km/h.
“This greatly reduces the risk of injury, the bottom portion of the rail kicks out and falls flat,” Mr Mawby said. Fixing the rail is as easy as clicking the uprights back into place, greatly reducing maintenance costs associated with the steel version.
Mr Mawby said his PVC rail was a world first.
“But I’m not ready to bask in any glory yet,” he said.
“I’ve spent years on this project and there is a lot of work still to be done.”
Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge said he looked forward to seeing the plastic rail in action at the training complex. “Any initiative, which improves safety for horses and riders, is welcome,” he said. Victorian Jockey’s Association chief executive Des O’Keefe said jockeys were delighted at the prospect of the improved safety measures.
“We are satisfied the new rail and upright will improve jockey safety and will be ideal for Australian racing conditions which require regular rail movement without damaging the track profile,” he said.
