Jockeys and the Australian Racing Board on Tuesday reached agreement on a controversial and complicated rule that limits the number of times a jockey can whip a horse in the latter stages of a race.
Under the new rules introduced on Aug. 1, jockeys were restricted to three consecutive strikes on one occasion inside the final 200m, and from then on could only use the whip every second stride. At the same time, padded whips were implemented.
The new rules were praised by animal rights groups, but jockeys and race officials said the rule was unfair and took the rider’s concentration away from the race. Jockeys went on a one-day national strike last week in protest.
The revised rule agreed to on Tuesday allows jockeys to whip the horse on alternate strides inside the final 200m of a race, but they can now use the whip a total of seven times in the last 100m.
Running rails on Australian race tracks will be painted from the 200m mark to the winning post to make it easier to ensure rules are enforced.
Victorian jockeys representative Ross Inglis said the revision made sense.
“We are hopeful this rule will be implemented by Saturday,” Inglis told Australian Associated Press. “I wouldn’t say it’s a big win, maybe a short half head. This also removes the threat of any possible industrial action in relation to racing around Australia.”
The new rule is subject to a review in February, but two-time former Melbourne Cup winner Damien Oliver said it would be approved.
“We just wanted some of our discretion to use the whip depending on how the horse was responding to it,” Oliver said.
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