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.

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One Drive

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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."

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