Chief Stipe

Young gun Will Price uses the whip to drive Diamonds In The Sky to victory at Caulfield. Picture: Getty Images JOCKEYS Jockeys on notice: Whip strike slashed Article Author Gilbert Gardiner 2:16PM27 January 2021 Racing Victoria has reignited the whip debate, with the introduction of races where the use of a persuader will be strictly limited — and enforced — to not more than five times for the entire event. The six-race country series will end in a final to be run at The Valley on All Star Mile Day, March 13. As reported by News Australia on Wednesday, the jockeys, who choose to participate in the five-strike races, will be subjected to severe sanctions for potential breaches. Whip rules currently allow for a maximum of five strikes in non-consecutive strides prior to the 100m mark and at the rider’s discretion in the final 100m of a race. The Victorian Jockeys’ Association has alerted its members about the series, which it described as “high risk” for riders given the proposed penalties. Whip use has been a contentious issue for many years. A breach in the pop-up series could see a jockey rubbed out for up to 10 meetings in the heart of the Group 1-laden Melbourne autumn carnival. Racing Victoria on Wednesday evening confirmed a new Country Mile Race Series would be used to trial the limited use of the whip in races. The series, exclusive to Victorian country trainers, will offer a combined $625,000 in prizemoney during the Festival of Racing February-March window. Racing Victoria will use the trial to gather data and learnings around capped whip use and wagering, fan engagement, participant support, adaptation to the conditions, safety of the race, and the consistency of form lines. Jockeys in breach of the trial rules face a combination of fines and/or suspensions and, will be ineligible to compete in any further heats, or the final, of the country series. RV Executive General Manager Racing Greg Carpenter said whip reform is “essential” for the sport to retain existing audiences and continue to attract new fans and employees of the future. “We acknowledge this initiative has mixed support from some industry stakeholder groups,” Carpenter said. “However, we … see little downside to running this trial and using the learnings to better inform the discussion on this critical issue. “We hope that participants will engage in the series in the spirit intended and the penalty regime is designed to reflect that. “If there is a breach and forfeiture of any prizemoney by a jockey, it will go to the Jockey Welfare Program and not be retained by Racing Victoria. “While this trial represents just six races of more than 4,000 run in Victoria each year, the data and learnings that come from it will be invaluable as we look to shape the future of racing for generations to come.” VJA chief executive Matthew Hyland said would find it “incredibly difficult” to adapt. “I liken it to a footballer going out and being told that in this quarter you’re only allowed five tackles and he plays in the centre,” Hyland said. “It goes against your natural instinct, in the heat of battle, to tackle isn’t it? “We don‘t get to choose whether they (Racing Victoria) do it or they don’t, they can run whatever they want and more importantly jockeys can choose whether they want to participate in this series of races.” Racing Victoria late last year back flipped on a mooted whip-free race series after consultation with jockeys and trainers’ associations.

Why do you bother posting on here Thom-arse? TAB NZ are fully aware of the debate that Fixed Odds Exotics has raised. Any Marketing team worth their salt would be PUSHING out information proactively.

You say "HAVE TO" but you don't given any reason for "WHY"! I would suggest that the issue is because that anything remotely salacious sells magazines, newspapers and online clicks. Not only that the snitches get paid well for being "informants". Who cares if Aaron Smith (All Black Half-back) shagged someone in the departure lounge disabled toilet? From my perspective I think "lucky bastard". The reality is someone snitched on him to the media. If it had been me no-one would have been interested. Morality or societal standards don't change just because you put on a Jersey. My role models were the likes of Winston Churchill, Captain Cook... Winston was perennially pissed. Captain Cook is now being cancelled because of some injustice to indigenous peoples (indigenous = those who invaded first). For some. But if you are an athlete there are other reasons why you wouldn't go on the piss the night before. Since Warnie and Boonie science has shown that it impedes your performance at the elite level. Makes you wonder how good those who played cricket actually were.

Yes. Streaming now.

Has TAB NZ had Fixed Odds Exotics (Quin, Tri, Treb, Quad, F4) available to the general public before? I noticed this page on the TAB site today. Not sure when it was first published - note to TAB - documents should be posted with a date! Note the broken image links which go back to a Google Docs account.

Is this a new page on the TAB FAQ page? Note the broken image links. Has it gone up in a hurry?

Geez that JJ Flash knows less about laying bets and betting pools than I do! How is the "Will Pay" calculated?

No I don't agree with them. I don't agree with expecting a higher standard from our sportspeople than we do from ourselves. Nor should they be subject to rules that are out of line with laws that the rest of us operate e.g. the alcohol limits. LOL remember Shane Warne and David Boon? Differences in standards does the very thing it is supposed to avoid - by highlighting exceptions it actually lowers the perceived integrity of a sport NOT enhance it. I find the Integrity "we need to beyond reproach" argument an anachronism from the past where racing was only for the gentry and anyone deemed on "unsavoury character" was excluded. I liken it to the whip rules - there is a perceived threat to the sports future. No consideration is given to the fact that the threat emanates from a small group who are anti-racing fullstop. So we create whip rules that are impractical and difficult to enforce. What happens? When inevitably someone breaks the rules because they are difficult not to we focus attention on ourselves. Classic home goal, shot in the foot stuff!

So you are not going to include Blair Orange in your betting selections as much now?

So what's the point of writing to them individually? I don't move in the same circles as Grant Robertson for a number of reasons. Perhaps the next time you are sharing a cocktail with him you could mention it in passing?

Pot-Kettle Thomarse. You are still ranting about events that happened three or more years ago! I'm sure TAB NZ are aware of what is being posted on social media. We await a proactive response from them.

Rule Number(s): 537(a)Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mr Williamson filed an Information alleging Licensed Trainer, Miss D Guy failed to declare the rider of SCREAMIN EAGLE in race 6, the Karaka Million 3 YO Classic (Restricted Listed -$1,000,000). Miss Guy noted on the Information that she admitted the breach and did not wish ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)After the running of Race 1, the Invercargill Workingmen's Club 1200, Mr N Goodwin, Stipendiary Steward submitted an Information alleging that Ms Taiaroa committed a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in carelessly allowing her mount "RETZENA" to shift in when not sufficiently clear of GEE STRING which was crowded ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)Following the running of Race 5, the Walker Davey Searells Accountants Mobile Pace, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S Renault against Licensed Open Driver, Mr M Edmonds alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) in that he used his whip free of the rein when driving SENSE OF OCCASION in the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(3)(b)Following the running of Race 6, the Gary Cockram Hyundai Mobile Trot, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S Renault against Open Driver, Mr T Williams, alleging a breach of Rule 869(3)(b) in that when driving PRINCE RANIER he drove carelessly when shifting into an insufficient run near ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)Following the running of Race 7, the Selwyn District Council Junior Drivers Mobile Pace, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S Renault against Licensed Junior Driver, Miss A Cameron alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) in that she used his whip in more than a wrist flicking motion in the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Ok the "something always happens".

Oh right because I guess INCA is in the Spitfire league. Lots of starts and no wins. So are you purely speculating or have an "inside source" or are you relying on the something happens eventually strategy?

How much longer do we have to wait for an INCA result? Bloody long tunnel they are digging looking for gold!

Since when have you started following your own advice? Have you been banned from Twitter?

It's ok Thomarse I'm sure the Government reads BOAY. Well the TAB does so I'm sure their boss does.

In my opinion if you make rules that are incongruous with those that you expect from the rest of society then you open yourself up for the unjust and unwarranted criticism. You provide fodder for the journo hacks like Van Dutch. At one time drivers who had been convicted of EBA were named and shamed in a printed list in the paper. It was the job of the junior reporter to scurry around and find if someone on the list was noteworthy and or deserving of a few paragraphs. That has fallen by the wayside partly because sometimes the printing of a name had far reaching consequences above and beyond the fine or disqualification. That's why it leaves a sow taste in my mouth when I see the RIU on what seem crusades nailing participants for things other than that which directly pertains to the integrity of the sport. Is it any wonder that young people don't want to work in the industry?