Under new rules to be introduced by Racing Australia, jockeys fill face stiffer penalties for breaking whip rules, and have smaller thresholds for punishment.
The changes will be implemented from December 1, and means that there will no longer be a distinction between a forehand and backhand whip, and jockeys will only be allowed five strikes before the final 100 metres.
Bigger races will be targeted, and jockeys will face suspensions if they transgress under the new laws. Training of new jockeys will also be targeted under the new program.
Racing Australia has described the action as an extension of the reforms set down in 2009.
A committee will be put in place to enforce the punishments for jockeys who infringe, which is aimed at making punishments more uniform across racing.
The full statement from Racing Australia reads as follows:
Racing Australia will amend the rules governing the use of the whip as from 1 December, 2015.
The Board, composed of Chairs of Australia’s Principal Racing Authorities, has considered the issues for a lengthy period. It has consulted with various stakeholders including the Australian Jockeys Association which made written and verbal submissions to the Board.
In respect of Australian Rule of Racing AR.137A, the Board has decided:-
1. To remove the distinction between forehand and backhand whip strikes so that there is a limit of five forehand or backhand whip strikes prior to the 100 metres.
2. To introduce stronger penalties for whip offences including greater emphasis on suspensions for serious breaches and for breaches in Group and Listed races.
3. The Chairmen of Stewards Committee to develop a uniform Penalty Template in the form of the current Careless Riding Penalty Template which ensures consistency across jurisdictions
4. Amendments to AR.137A to come into force on 1 December, 2015 to enable an education initiative to be undertaken to advise jockeys of their strict liability under the new whip rule with training programs for apprentices to be a focus.
Racing Australia Chairman, John Messara AM, described the rule changes “as an extension of the reforms of 2009″.“The changes to the whip rules in 2009 introduced limits on the number and manner of whip strikes which in conjunction with a padded whip has ensured the welfare of the horse. However, too great a reliance on the backhand application of the whip has developed in response to the limits imposed on the forehand application.
“After careful consideration, we have decided that backhand strikes should be treated in the same way as forehand strikes so as to leave no room for misinterpretation of the rules against excessive use.
“Importantly, harsher penalties for breaches of the rule will be imposed in a consistent and uniform manner across Australia,” Mr Messara said.
Have you ever tried your skills in a Racing daily fantasy competition? Put your best picks to the test for one day and see if you can scoop the pot with Draftstars. Looking for great odds on racing and sport? PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Without a Fight completed the rare Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double on Tuesday as star jockey Mark Zahra went back-to-back in the big one after…
The race that stops the nation is upon us again. Every horse in the Melbourne Cup has reasons they can win, and reasons they…
Those who want to have a really big collect on Australia’s greatest race, without risking too much, have to look at the exotic bets.
While most of the attention is on Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's Gold Trip, there's no reason why stablemate Future History cannot upstage him.
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is quietly confident his Melbourne Cup mount Alenquer will be passed fit to give him a farewell ride in the…
Melbourne Cup day is here again, and it’s never anything less than exciting. The Cup itself will of course be full of drama and…
