Racing Australia has scrapped the ability to protest a race result if the whip rule has been breached.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Racing Australia announced that its board had removed the rule that allows a protest against a race result if a jockey uses the whip too many times.
Jockeys are allowed to use the whip five times before the 100m mark – but never in consecutive strides – then unlimited from there.
The decision to alter the ability to protest was made at a recent board meeting.
Racing Australia, in their release, believe the change ‘’will not diminish any whip use deterrent’’
‘’As part of ongoing whip reform, Racing Australia, at its recent Board Meeting, has determined to make amendments to the Australian Rules of Racing to remove the whip protest rule,’’ the release said.
‘’This decision was based on consideration of the following:
‘’Determining a protest for an alleged breach was largely subjective with any objective component not readily achievable.
‘’The removal of the whip protest rule will not diminish any whip use deterrent effect having regard to the severe penalties that stewards can impose for flagrant and significant breaches of the whip rules.
‘’This decision brings Australia into line with the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities (IFHA) position through its International Rule Harmonisation Committee one of which objectives is: “the prohibition on race day protest/objections in respect of whip/crop breaches will be an objective for the Committee [IHRRC].”
The changes will come into effect from October 1.
