Given the amount of meetings across New South Wales that have been abandoned or postponed in in the last few weeks it’s understandable that Racing NSW is desperate to see all future meetings go ahead.

They have a duty though to ensure that it’s not at the expense of safety, something that has been questioned by senior jockeys at Randwick today.

While it was only a barrier trial and not a full meeting there were still some hairy moments as horses struggled on the loose surface.

Christian Reith was lucky to stay upright after his horse stumbled in one of the first trials of the day.

Arguably Australaia’s bets jockey Nash Rawiller was another to voice concerns after his rides as well.

In fact just four trials had taken place before trainers were advised that they had the option to run on the dirt track if they wished.

Only a few decided to do that with most persisting as originaly planned.

Several took up the offer but most declined to run.

The man charged with making the decision is Australian Turf Club manager Lindsay Murphy, one of the most respected track managers in the country.

His team inspected the track and while the acknowledge a few sections were less then ideal, they’re happy that it wasn’t a dangerous surface.

“The jockeys thought they were getting into the ground too much,” Murphy said.

“A horse Christian Reith was riding knuckled over at the 100 metres.

“We inspected it but there was nothing apparent.

“Nash also had concerns over a section that was chopped up.

“It was to be expected after the rain we’ve had and it is still quite wet.

“At the end of the day the jockeys had concerns and safety is the first priority.

“We gave everyone the option of the dirt and those who used it said it was OK.”

Today’s trials were orignally planned for last Friday but it was too wet to continue meaning the surface had just three days to improve from unsafe to a suitable standard.