As a matter of interest, here's a short history of whips in Australian harness racing

1800s: Whips first used for trotting races
1970s: Cane whip replaced with fiberglass inside a plaited nylon cover
1990s: Whip length reduced
2010: Rules changed, drivers only allowed to use elbow and wrist action
2016: Drivers must have one rein in each hand at all times
Sep 2017: Australia to become the first country to voluntarily ban whips

..watching the trots at pinjarra today..lots of whip use
..very likely some different results without that use

seems harness racing south australia not fully committed

"from 1 May 2017, HRSA will be conducting trials utilising whip pads and a restricted ‘wrist action’ only in regard to whip use"

Winning jockey Tiffani Brooker,,Group 3 Gunsynd Classic,,Eagle Farm Saturday,,has been fined & suspended for using her whip on 17 occasions prior to the 100m,,a number of which were in consecutive strides & 10 times inside the 100m

Since reported that connections of the runner-up,,Violate,,beaten a lip,,are considering some kind of legal challenge or at the very least,,a formal complaint

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission will take no action over a complaint regarding a breach of the whip rules in the Gunsynd Classic.

QRIC found that as connections of second-placed Violate had not lodged a protest before correct weight the result could not be changed under the rules of racing.

Source aap

Connections believed they should have been notified of their grounds to protest (by stewards) before correct weight was declared
Obviously that didn't happen

Stewards who observed the race at various points at the Eagle Farm race track saw nothing of concern in the running of the race. Hence no other action prior to correct weight

I think those trials have been put on hold. Not sure why

Due to whip free trials being done in Tasmania using safety device 'Prototype 1',,a device of approximately 160cm in total length including a long padded end
It was concluded that the Prototype 1 was unwieldy,,too long and heavy. It was caught in the wind & drivers had trouble using in a timely manner.

Stewards have the power to lodge a protest if there has been a rule breach prior to correct weight, the most common interference.
If it's a close finish they should not only look for interference, but also check that the riders have whipped their mounts within the rules before declaring correct weight.