Owners and Punters be aware ! Racing Australia's
controversial new whip rules come into effect today.
The new rule
limits the number of times a jockey can strike a horse - in either a forehand or backhand manner - to
five (5) before the 100m mark of any race and jockeys will only be able to use the whip
"at their discretion" in the final 100 metres of a race.
The rule change
angered riding associations and drew
criticism from top jockeys who claim the rule was introduced without proper consultation.
Racing Australia defended its decision to introduce the new rule, stating, that it has a responsibility to meet changing societal expectations about animal welfare issues.
Instead of the whip ~ Maybe
administrators may consider this drawing as the
"next step" to encourage horses over the final furlong ?
