3 minute read

Returning to scale as a winner was something star WA jockey Ian Albuino came to know well after piloting more than 1000 winners during his illustrious career in the saddle.

And it is a part of race day the Group 1-winning hero, who saluted aboard Golden Heights in the 1980 Railway Stakes, remains familiar with today.

Now out of the saddle, Ian has been playing a key role in the declaration of correct weight as Racing WA's Clerk of Scales at metropolitan and provincial tracks for the past seven years.

"I weigh the jockeys out before and in after the race," Ian explained.

"Then, I can confirm correct weight, usually to (race caller) Darren McAullay in the broadcast box, or tell him otherwise if a protest has been launched."

Ian experienced success in the saddle for some of the State's best trainers, including household names such as Frank Maynard, Len Morton and Lou Luciani.

His career also extended to tracks all over Australia as well as Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

With three Western Australian jockey premierships to his name, Ian rode top-tier horses including 1986 Winterbottom Stakes winner Fimiston, who was prepared by Alan Hawke.

"I was lucky enough to ride a lot of good horses in some big races and it really helped shape my career," he said.

"There's been a lot of highlights and great horses, but Fimiston is the best I rode. He was just a real gentleman of a racehorse and you could always make two runs on him in a race.

"He would go wherever you wanted and switch off and then switch back on again. He nearly could talk to you."

In addition to riding for Hawke, Ian was also legged aboard horses for the likes of Colin Hayes, Tommy Smith and Geoff Murphy – some of the best in the business in Australian racing.

"It always felt like a great achievement when some of the best trainers would seek me out to ride their horses over carnival time," he said.

After retiring from competitive riding, Ian was never far from the sport he loved. He rode trackwork for various trainers including renowned WA horseman Neville Parnham as well as enjoying stints in Broome.

The transition from jockey to Clerk of Scales has been a smooth one for Ian, who leans on using his years of experience riding to ensure all aspects are covered in the weighing process.

"In the seven years I've been in the role, we've always conducted ourselves in a professional manner and haven't had any hiccups," he said.

"If a horse is carrying a gel pad, a towel or a lead bag, I make sure these are there at the first weigh-in because either one of them can make the difference post-race."

The heaviest a jockey can weigh exceeding their set weight is 0.4kg prior to a race. If that limit is exceeded, the scale machine will not register the weight and the jockey will be required to adjust the impost they are to carry and re-present at the scales.

"After the race they can weigh up to 0.9kg over, or up to 0.5kg under because naturally jockeys sweat and need to keep hydrated, so we make a slight allowance for those external factors," Ian explained.

If a jockey weighs in underweight, then the Stewards are notified and the horse is disqualified, something Ian said had not happened since he has been in the role.

Ian is grateful for everything the sport has given him and is happy to still be involved in the industry.

"When you have a passion and put in the hard work and dedication towards something, you'll always get out of it what you're looking for," he said.