Future of jumps races in doubt because of declining numbers The future of jumps racing is uncertain. RACING Victoria admits it is disappointed with a lack of numbers in jumps races so far this season, but says it is confident they will pick up for the famous Warrnambool May carnival. But head of racing operations Greg Carpenter has pondered the future of the equally famous Oakbank Easter carnival if one or two traditional supporters dropped off. Monday's Yalumba Hurdle and Great Eastern Steeplechase at Oakbank have attracted fields of seven and eight, respectively, and a total of 21 horses will contest two jumps races at Oakbank today. Attendances at Oakbank have also dropped in the past two years. Just a handful of trainers supply the bulk of the runners, with New Zealand perennial John Wheeler providing 11 acceptors over the two days. Eric Musgrove and Ciaron Maher also have multiple runners. "Jumps racing in South Australia is virtually negligible," Carpenter said. Most of the runners come from either Victoria or from John Wheeler in New Zealand. You have to wonder how things would turn out if someone like Wheeler suddenly decided not to go. Carpenter said the early Easter had made it difficult for trainers to prepare jumpers for Oakbank, but he said the "numbers were in the system" to suggest fields at Warrnambool would be reasonable. "Look, we are disappointed, but we do think things will pick up," he said. Carpenter admitted it was disappointing that of 21 entries in a hurdle at Warrnambool last Tuesday, only seven accepted. Fields in a handful of jumps races in Victoria this season have attracted fields of seven or less, generating poor turnover and modest public interest. Carpenter said the key performance indicators drawn up to measure the sport's viability a few years ago were no longer attached to jumps racing, but he said on-going poor numbers would be a concern.