QRIC adopts new guidelines for whip infringements
The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission will use a template of penalties to bring consistency to whip breaches, as jockeys reiterate calls for change at national level.
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As QRIC announced a streamlined approach to whip infringements on Wednesday, jockeys have called for consistency across the state, while urging Racing Australia to revisit its interpretation of the rule.
QRIC have drawn up a template of penalties that increase with each infringement by an individual jockey.
It includes a recommended seven-day suspension for any jockey that uses the whip more than five times over the permitted five strikes prior to the 100m. That increases to a fortnight for the fourth such infringement.
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The rule also applies to excessive use in the entire race, with a one week suspension handed out for 17 or more strikes.
Suspensions can also be incurred for multiple infringements of less severe breaches.
QRIC chief steward Peter Chadwick said the new guidelines will provide greater consistency to penalties and reduce use of the whip in the last 100m of a race because of the new maximum number permitted overall.
The guidelines were drawn up in consultation with the Queensland Jockeys Association, which told Chadwick they wanted to see greater consistency across the state.
“We have put it to Mr Chadwick that stewards across the state need to be on the same page,” QJA representative Glen Prentice said.
He pointed out some recent inconsistencies, including a suspension to one jockey who used the whip only 10 times in the entire race (twice in the last 100m) and another who was let off with a reprimand for significantly more use, but seemingly was granted dispensation because “he won the race.”
Leading rider Larry Cassidy said the template is fair because the penalty list is “there in black and white” and noted racing needs to keep evolving.
“It’s just a way of trying to curb overuse of the whip. It’s the way we have to go forward,” he said. “Does it seem harsh? Maybe it does. But it’s better than not having whips at all.
“Whips are not there just to hit horses, they are there as a tool to help control horses. All riders need to carry them. (But) if you are hitting them four or five over, that’s just not on. The rules have been in place for long enough now.”
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The common theme among jockeys and many others is that Racing Australia should look to change the rule to make it totality in a race, rather than the current unlimited last 100m rule.
With a rule designed to placate the growing anti-racing sentiment, the belief is it makes little sense to have unlimited use where the striking is most visible.
If it were a race total, it would then be up to the jockey to determine at which point of the race it is most necessary.
Originally published as QRIC adopts new guidelines for whip infringements