The whip rule is raising its ugly head again and quite frankly, I would rather the head be chopped off for good.
There were two key whip infringements from the Zipping Classic (2400m) on Saturday.
Glyn Schofield, aboard the winner Beautiful Romance, struck the horse four more times before the 100-metre mark than permitted, copping a $1000 fine. While Damian Lane on Big Orange was also fined $1000 for striking the horse five times prior to the 100-metre mark.
I didn’t back it, but if you backed Almoonqith, the runner-up, you’d be absolutely filthy. Damien Oliver, who steered, did everything by the book, yet got beaten by a horse, who based on the ruling, won illegally.
That’s the problem. The rule is just utter nonsense.
I can understand that from a mainstream point of view, the look of the likes of Dittman and Dye in yesteryear is something we don’t want broadcasted to the general public. But one rule across all races for all ages and sexes is just wrong.
Certain horses need certain types of riding. Beautiful Romance and Big Orange wouldn’t have finished where they had without the whip. They were ridden like they were back home in the UK and they rightfully responded.
On the flip side, if those two riders did break the rules, and given the margin, why didn’t the Stewards protest? The margin was a nose, and had it not been for a breach of the rules, based on her racing pattern and style in the UK, Beautiful Romance would not have won the race.
Last year, at the Sunshine Coast, a protest was lodged based on excess whip use, and it was upheld. Under the rules as they stand, in my opinion, that is the right decision. Common sense. It’s rubbish because we don’t know for sure, what effect the whip has on a horse.
Some horses don’t need it and prefer hands and heels. Others, such as Beautiful Romance, need encouragement.
What I find baffling, is that the rule is right across the board. For example, you’re only allowed to hit the horse a certain amount of times prior and after the 100-metre mark for a two-year-old race over 1000m, while the same rule applies to a 2400m staying contest.
It’s a nightmare for jockeys too. They are risking their lives every time they climb aboard a horse. They have to focus on the horses around them, tactics and their horse. Counting how many times you whip a horse shouldn’t be added to the equation.
Either modify the rule or scrap it. Preferably scrap it.
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