I suppose there are two camps that would view this issue.

Those who condemn the jockey for a merciless display of extremely over-aggressive riding for which he should be punished by stewards.

Those who have supported the winner and don't care how the jockey got the horse over the line.

What needs to be considered is whether or not apprentice jockey Hoppo was riding to instructions. Perhaps the horse is notoriously lazy and only responds to hard whip riding. Maybe he was told to ride that way.

Whatever the end result, it does seem that in this case the jockey has perhaps overstepped the mark and it would be interesting to read stewards reports of the race.

Regardless, it is gratifying to know that some punters do actually have feelings for the animals involved.