Jockeys have been put on notice and stewards around the country are on alert for imported safety vests that don't meet Australian standards.Ray Murrihy, chief steward in NSW, said five "knock-off" vests were found last weekend when vests were inspected at the Randwick and Rosehill meetings.Australian authorities were contacted by Hong Kong steward Steve Railton regarding the non-conforming vests that had been found in that jurisdiction."We got the heads-up from Hong Kong," Murrihy said."There ha

Jockeys have been put on notice and stewards around the country are on alert for imported safety vests that don't meet Australian standards.

Ray Murrihy, chief steward in NSW, said five "knock-off" vests were found last weekend when vests were inspected at the Randwick and Rosehill meetings.

Australian authorities were contacted by Hong Kong steward Steve Railton regarding the non-conforming vests that had been found in that jurisdiction.

"We got the heads-up from Hong Kong," Murrihy said.

"There have been a number of knock-offs found and we have gone back to the suppliers to try to find out where they are coming from.

"There is a negligible difference in weight but a big difference in safety."

The "fake" vests have one less layer of foam making them more pliable and a smidgeon lighter.

As part of their investigation at Randwick on Friday, stewards found a vest belonging to leading jockey Hugh Bowman that did not meet the criteria.

However, Murrihy stressed that particular vest was not one of the recent imports but one that Bowman had removed a layer of foam from for comfort purposes rather than to lessen the weight.

Bowman was fined $500.

"In Hugh Bowman's case, it was a standard vest that he had modified," Murrihy said.

"But we have to act on these vests in the interests of safety.

"In an accident the vest doesn't provide the same protection and a jockey's insurance is compromised.

"It would be foolish for jockeys to use them for comfort or weight."

Murrihy informed stewards in Queensland and Victoria. None of the non-standard vests were found after a sweep of the jockeys' room at Caulfield in Melbourne on Wednesday while Brisbane stewards said they had been made aware of the situation.

Last month controversial Melbourne jockey Danny Nikolic was fined $1000 for being in possession of a modified safety vest.

The approved vests are designed to protect the upper body and have been proven to reduce injuries suffered in falls and those incurred by being stamped on by horses.

The vests weigh around 800 grams for which jockeys are given a weight allowance.