Hope for jumps racing?

Racing Victoria (RVL) has deferred its decision on the future of jumps racing in the state after being inundated with concerns by industry stakeholders.

RVL was expected to deliver an announcement on Tuesday revealing whether it would be overturning its decision from last November to abolish jumps racing from 2010 onwards.

But in the wake of mounting pressure to overturn the decision, including an hour-long submission by Melbourne Racing Club vice-chairman Mike Symons on Tuesday, the 10-man RVL board has postponed any announcement, in what may be a ray of hope for the jumps racing industry.

RVL chief executive Rob Hines simply said the board needed extra time to consider the concerns raised.

"The Board today considered a proposal from Mike Symons, the nominated representative of the stakeholders, requesting that RVL overturn its decision to conclude jumps racing in Victoria at the end of the 2010 season," Hines said in a statement.

"A decision has not yet been made on the proposal and we will continue our discussions with Mike Symons."