Jockeys want deferment on new whip rules
 

Source AAP

Jockeys from around the country have called on Racing Australia to defer the introduction of new whip rules.

Meetings were held at 21 racetracks around Australia on Saturday over new rules that are due to come into force on December 1.

The new rules mean jockeys cannot use the whip in a forehand or backhand manner more than five times before the 100m mark.

Previously jockeys could use the whip in a backhand manner, provided they were not excessive in its use.

Riders can still use the whip at their discretion in the final 100m.

Queensland Jockeys' Association President Glen Prentice told a meeting at Doomben on Saturday that RA had gone ahead with a December 1 implementation without consulting the 22 national associations involving trainers, owners and breeders.

Brisbane jockeys voted unanimously for RA to defer the proposed start date until concerns were addressed.

They also called on RA to explain why there needed to be a change and they thought RA had failed to engage in meaningful consultation about the new laws.

Jockeys asked that RA establish a working party.

Victorian Jockeys' Association chief executive officer Des O'Keeffe said feedback the meetings would be sent to RA.

"We will collate the responses from about 400 participants at those meetings, provide them to Racing Australia and then await their response," O'Keeffe said.

The meetings also heard concerns about jockeys' new helmets that are to be introduced.

Going ahead as planned according to Racing Australia

Will be watching Damien Oliver rides with an extra interest. Oliver has made it very public where he stands on the issue.

I actually think if they banned the whip altogether and let the jockeys use their own skill to get the best from the horse this would be a better option, although i do see with 2 yr that the whip can be used to control their actions, i wonder if they didn't use whips we would see more interference.

I know the WA Jockeys' Association isn't happy with the new rules. Next Saturday's Ascot stewards report might be an interesting read. Already a lot of pressure for the WA riders over the Carnival period. More black-type races to come on Saturday.

Kilmore today

"Articulate Man (NZ) - rider Dale Smith stated the gelding, which was having its first race start today, did not respond to his riding in the middle stages and the early part of the straight, and as he was only able to use his whip on five occasions prior to the 100m, he felt this was detrimental to the horses performance. Stewards noted his explanation."

Putting objective numbers to subjective situations is insane.
I can't imagine any sane person would come up with this system.
Some horses need urging at certain times and a number of times others not at all.
How in the name of God can you arbitrarily assign a number of strokes needed or allowed at designated distances is beyond me.

And Tuncurry same day

"R6 Antonaire- G. Buckley was reprimanded (AR 137A (5) (a) (ii)) for using the whip on the gelding on more than five occasions (7) before the 100m.

R8 Interest Free- Began awkwardly losing ground (2L). G. Coleman was reprimanded (AR137A (5) (a) (ii)) for using the whip on the gelding on more than five occasions (10) before the 100m. In assessing penalty stewards took into account this was the first occasion in which G. Coleman had offended under this rule in the past five years."

Perhaps I'm in the minority.
I do believe that a whip should be used in the case of straightening up the mount or in the case of rider safety. (e.g. a rider had his leg crushed on the running rail prior to the new rails that were introduced).
The rule of no more than five times prior to the 100m mark is open ended and needs to be modified.
A jockey could whip the horse when it has no chance whatsoever.
It could also mean a horse is whipped five times in 200m at the start of a race. Crazy and cruel.

Jockeys are still free to whip every other stride within the 100m mark.
Acceptable? Perhaps.
Whatever happened to the masters of hands and heels?

"Articulate Man (NZ) - rider Dale Smith stated the gelding, which was having its first race start today, did not respond to his riding in the middle stages and the early part of the straight, and as he was only able to use his whip on five occasions prior to the 100m, he felt this was detrimental to the horses performance. Stewards noted his explanation."

He must be joking, the horse finished 10.95L behind the winner, prior to this had trialled twice at Cranbourne finishing 7th of 8 and 5th of 6.
The horse has either joint or lower hoof problems because he's worn concussion plates on soft ground. Normally these are worn from jarring up on firmer ground. In a nutshell, the horse has issues, no wonder he did not respond in the middle and early part of the straight. I believe the horse was in pain, to whip the horse would have been inhumane in this situation.

Antonaire- G. Buckley was reprimanded (AR 137A (5) (a) (ii)) for using the whip on the gelding on more than five occasions (7) before the 100m.

Finished 6th of 11, but only 1.7L from the winner. Excessive use of the whip did not result in a win and it was a blanket finish, so the pace must have been a cracker. The horse was 8th@800m and 10th@400m and jumping up in class. Question remains for me, whipping the horse 7 times when horses were all making the same headway and running over the top of him, is this justified?

Interest Free- Began awkwardly losing ground (2L). G. Coleman was reprimanded (AR137A (5) (a) (ii)) for using the whip on the gelding on more than five occasions (10) before the 100m. In assessing penalty stewards took into account this was the first occasion in which G. Coleman had offended under this rule in the past five years

10 occasions over 1300m, that's possibly once every 130m but probably much much worse.
Horse has only won once in 42 starts. Despite the heavy use of the whip, horse finished 14th of 14 10.9L.

This is where I personally draw the line in these instances, if a horse is losing ground, not up to the speed, being run past, or simply outclassed, why whip a horse trying it's best, especially when battling issues. It just doesn't cut it.

Fantastic Chrome, you have a far better insight to this than some jockeys perhaps, i do agree with your comments my only thoughts are that it is easier to look at the situation after the fact, i guess some jockeys having more experience will make it easier for them to judge what best to do at the time.

And Ipswich yesterday:

Reprimands
Race 1. App. C. Schmidt – use whip more than 5 times prior to the 100m – AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii)
Race 3. T. Harrison – use whip more than 5 times prior to the 100m – AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii)
Race 6. R. Fradd – use whip more than 5 times prior to the 100m – AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii)
Race 8. App. B. Appo – use whip more than 5 times prior to the 100m – AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii)

And Bunbury yesterday:

* Race 2. Jockey Willie White GRAND ALLIANCE $150 ARR.137A(4)(c) and (d)
for using an unnecessary amount of whip when his mount was out of
contention and showing no response.

Race 8. Apprentice Randy Tan (TRULY MAGICAL) was warned under the
provisions of the recently amended AR.137A(5)(a)(ii) for using the whip on
one additional occasion than permitted prior to the 100m.

* Not part of new whip rules?

And William Hill Park Hillside yesterday:

R3 Testability - slow into stride. Apprentice Ben Thompson was warned for using his whip on six occasions prior to the 100m which is one time more than permitted. Rider Ben Thompson said his mount would appreciate a track with more give.

R6 Ten Goals - rider Craig Williams was warned for using his whip six times prior to the 100m which is one time more than permitted. Craig Williams reported his mount, which was first up today, had to work hard in the early stages and this was detrimental to its chances when unable to finish off as expected.

R8 Monogram - steadied off the heels of Samertha Heights passing the 400m. Rider Craig Williams was warned for using his whip six times prior to the 100m which is one time more than permitted.

R8 Taylahs Secret - checked near the 100m to avoid the heels of Arianne (NZ) which shifted in before being straightened by its rider, Ryan Maloney. Rider Patrick Moloney was warned for using his whip seven times prior to the 100m, which is two times more than permitted under the new rules.

R8 Kelkea - rider Harry Coffey was warned for using his whip eight times prior to the 100m which is three times more than permitted under the new rules. H Coffey stated in his opinion it would be suited on tracks with more give.

And Canterbury yesterday:

R4 Progressive – was held up rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight. Rider J McDonald was spoken to regarding using the whip in a backhand manner on consecutive occasions prior to the 100m

R4 Miss Denni – laid in under pressure in the straight. Rider B Shinn was spoken to regarding using the whip in a backhand manner on consecutive occasions prior to the 100m

Still lots of reprimands, now also seeing some fines.
For example:

Rockhampton 3 Dec
Race 1: Apprentice N. Vuille $100 - use whip more than 5 times and in consecutive manner prior to 100m. (A.R.137A)

Doomben 5 Dec
Race 3: R. Fradd – $200 – use whip in consecutive strides and more than 5 times prior to 100m – AR. 137A(5)(a)(i) & (ii)
Race 9: C. Williams – $200 – use whip more than 5 times prior to 100m – AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii)

Wagga 5 Dec
Race 3: Ms M. Taylor(a)- $200- Whip use- AR137A(5)(a)(ii)

Sunshine Coast 6 Dec
Race 1: Apprentice N. Vuille $100 - use whip more than 5 times and in consecutive manner prior to 100m. (A.R.137A)

Murray Bridge 6 Dec
Race 2 – J. Kah (EXALTED LIGHTNING) – Fined $100 – AR137A(5)(a)(ii)[+8] – Whip offence.

Terang 7 Dec
Race 10 Anthony Boyd $200, consecutive whip use

Queensland jockeys struggling a bit with the new whip rule
A total of 24 breaches of the rule have been recorded across eight TAB meetings in the first five days

I can understand if your horse is a chance or you need to get out of trouble, but of all these breaches in the rules, very few resulted in even placings.
If your horse is gone, it's gone.
This is where a great deal of damage is done to the horse, the horse doesn't have the capability of determining the cause of hurt in a race situation. It leads to bleeding, fractures, heart attacks, broken legs, muscle cartilage damage, shin splints and bowed tendons because the horse will over extend beyond it's limits.
This is why so many breakdowns occur and why many good horses lose all form.
If you've got a lap full of horse and don't think you'll make it to the line, then use the whip. If you're leading or chasing the leader and you think you have a chance use the whip. But belting the living daylights out of a no hoper (this race) does nobody any favours.
Trainers can say "you didn't use the whip enough", but that's just an excuse, I'm quite sure the trainer would rather have a sound horse to go on with, than a breakdown, vets, osteopaths, chiropractors etc etc.
Stewards aren't going to penalise a jockey when the horse is struggling for not using the whip.
Just my opinion.

In NZ you see very little whip use before the home bend.

The rule here is a jockey can use the whip on six consecutive strides at any part of the race then the rider must place the whip hand back on the reins for six consecutive strides.

From the 200m whip use is unrestricted provided the horse is in contention for a stake-bearing place.

Victorian stewards have been giving jockeys two warnings & two reprimands before the penalties increase to fines
ample time to become accustomed to the new rule imo

Interesting (related) article on the RSPCA website

http://www.rspca.org.au/campaigns/w...hip-use-jockeys

Obviously Sam Clipperton having problems with the new whip rules
Recently completed a 4 meeting suspension for excessive whip use,,now has a seven meeting penalty to complete for the same offense

Queensland became the first state in Australia to uphold a protest due to excessive whip use when Rosella, who initially deadheated with Stonecast, was demoted to second in Race 4 at the Sunshine Coast earlier this month.

It came after Rosella’s jockey Taylor Williams used the whip eight times, three more than allowed, prior to the 100m mark.

Source: gold coast bulletin

Tommy Berry has just returned from suspension. Outed for breaking the new whip rule on April 2nd. Found guilty of striking Tavago 6 times before the 100m in the ATC Australian Derby, also fined $2000.
The rule allows jockeys to hit a horse only 5 times until that point.

Same day, also fined for excessive whip use were Sam Clipperton ($800) for being 1 strike over on Alegria in the Chairman’s Handicap; Hugh Bowman ($2000) on Pera Pera in the Country Championships Final; Luke Currie ($400) on Super Cash in the PJ Bell Stakes and Zac Purton ($2000) on Yankee Rose in the Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Whip use suspensions becoming more common
Ben Allen & Ben Melham recently

And another one bites the dust!
Chelsea Hall, whip suspension, 5 meetings

"The Racing Australia Board will deliver a report on the new whip rules to each Principal Racing Authority for discussion.

A Sub-Committee will seek written submissions from stakeholder groups and participants and, if appropriate, meet with them before reporting to the Racing Australia Board at its September 14 meeting."

Source: Racenet

Topsy-turvy day for HK apprentice Eric Cheung last Friday
Won on Radiologist at Coffs Harbour,,first ride in Oz I believe
Then had to survive a protest from the runner-up
Then was fined & suspended for excessive whip use

apprentice Brooke Sweeney suspended for 5 meetings for using her whip 7 times prior to the 100m - twice more than permitted, aboard Leveraction at Flemington last saturday

Won an appeal,,Brooke's whip suspension reduced to a $1000 fine

Has anyone noticed the number of times the jockeys get their reins tangled and struggle to get the whip out? I always thought they were taught to cross their reins coming into the home straight to prevent this.
I watch all the replays, and I've seen the whip rule broken so many times, I think they are going to have to revise it sooner than later.

They're more likely to ban whip use in its entirety in the current environment.

Fines totalling well over $300,000 imposed on jockeys this year for using their whip more than 5 times prior to the 100m

Appearing to do their bit to help solve Australia,s debt problem.

In the heat of a close finish what jockey has time to count the number of times the whip has been struck.

Cheers.
darky

Of that total,,over $100,000 in fines for Victorian jockeys
They top the national list for whip offences

Queensland jockeys,,with over $70,000 in fines,,are 2nd to Victoria

The push is on to change from 5 to 8, prior to the 100m.
This would eliminate 93% of current breaches.

Would look like a good move to me ;)

Whip usage restriction been in place for a while in the UK
Introduced in 2011,,the permitted number of uses of the whip,,7 times for flat races & 8 times for jumps races
A maximum of 5 strokes in the last furlong or from the final obstacle

In 2012 amended whip regulations were implemented,,under which stewards can use their discretion as to whether to punish a jockey for ‘excessive whipping’
So not automatic fines / suspensions

Interesting comment from Zac Purton recently

Some of his winners in Hong Kong would not have won had he been riding to the new Australian whip rules

Purton feels encouraged to ride winners in Hong Kong because the only whip rule there is that a horse out of contention is not unduly tested & all reasonable and permissible measures are taken to ensure a horse is given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing

Regardless of the distance of the race,,same threshold of strikes for a five-furlong sprint as for a two-mile staying race