Spring Carnival shake-up

The multi-million dollar Spring Racing Carnival could come under threat from industrial strike action from jockeys.
Yesterday (Thursday), jockeys from Hawkesbury, Ballarat, Ipswich and Northam were abandoned mid-afternoon after jockeys decided they could not follow the contentious new whip rules imposed under the Australian Racing Board.
While tomorrow's race meetings will go ahead, jockeys have warned they will boycott the Spring Carnival racedays unless the ARB changes its stance. Jockeys simply want the rule altered slightly to allow them unrestricted use of the whip in the final 100 metres of a race.
At present, the rule says a jockey shall not use the whip more than five times before the last 200 metres of a race. It is also states that other than on one occasion over the final 200 metres, where a whip may be used in three consecutive strides, the whip shall not be used in consecutive strides other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder or alternatively in a backward manner.
This rule brings up several contentious issues.
Jockeys believe the new rule prevents them from riding their horses fully out in the finish of a race and some say it has meant the difference between winning and losing a race.
Unrestricted use in the final 100 metres would satisfy the jockeys and their unions, while they will also be happy if stewards are given discretion to intervene if they believe a whip has been excessively used.

 

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