Chief Stipe Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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.
Thomass Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 OUTSTANDING work Racing Victoria... THE most progressive jurisdiction in the Worrrld... Have a look at how well our first NON WHIP race went in the Amatuer series last year I think you'll agree there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with a non Whip race https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/49590/1/Race-Detail.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomass Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Duke of Gloucester OTKM-R01-051120.mp4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 38 minutes ago, Thomass said: OUTSTANDING work Racing Victoria... THE most progressive jurisdiction in the Worrrld... Have a look at how well our first NON WHIP race went in the Amatuer series last year I think you'll agree there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with a non Whip race That wasn't the question. Given the Jockey's in Victoria boycotted the first attempt the question is how many will support this new attempt? I guess in the interests of virtue signalling you would be quite happy to see the quality of our racing drop to Amateur level? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: I guess in the interests of virtue signalling you would be quite happy to see the quality of our racing drop to Amateur level? Except imo the quality of racing will only improve with this sort of initiative along with the professionalism of riders if the whip use is curtailed in this fashion and painful bullying of horses is removed from the skill arsenal of successful jockeys. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 7 minutes ago, curious said: Except imo the quality of racing will only improve with this sort of initiative along with the professionalism of riders if the whip use is curtailed in this fashion and painful bullying of horses is removed from the skill arsenal of successful jockeys. All good Curious and I'm sure that you will be happy to see the same standards applied to and policed of those who break-in, pre-train and train these horse's. Afterall you will agree that many of the issues start at the beginning and what we see on raceday regarding horse behaviour is only the product that went before and often unseen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomates Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 It will have the bonus of not having to watch a large proportion of jockeys looking like they are about to fall off because they can't use a whip properly . 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 4 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: All good Curious and I'm sure that you will be happy to see the same standards applied to and policed of those who break-in, pre-train and train these horse's. Afterall you will agree that many of the issues start at the beginning and what we see on raceday regarding horse behaviour is only the product that went before and often unseen. Roy Higgins told me one day, he didn't 'hit' horses if they were in front, only pulled the stick if he was challenged, or if he felt said horse would benefit from a couple......he was a kind man, in heart and sprit he cared for the animal.......nowadays these young kids turn for home and start flailing about with the thing, who's teaching them? they unbalance them and many horses resent the whip. Roy was especially strong on using it on fillies, ''turns them sour' he used to say, I would back Roy Higgins over any of the modern day cowboys...with exceptions of course, but most are not taught and don't have the smarts...... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 8 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said: Roy Higgins told me one day, he didn't 'hit' horses if they were in front, only pulled the stick if he was challenged, or if he felt said horse would benefit from a couple......he was a kind man, in heart and sprit he cared for the animal.......nowadays these young kids turn for home and start flailing about with the thing, who's teaching them? they unbalance them and many horses resent the whip. Roy was especially strong on using it on fillies, ''turns them sour' he used to say, I would back Roy Higgins over any of the modern day cowboys...with exceptions of course, but most are not taught and don't have the smarts...... I hear what you are saying. A good Jockey knows if a horse is giving its best or is cheating. Chris Johnson and Hayden Tinsley are/were good at this. The old saying no sense in flogging a dead horse. Both those Jockey's have been brought before the Stipes on charges of "lacking vigour". If you do away with whips then you must do away with that charge. As you point out if a horse is trying as hard as it can then far better to keep it balanced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 I agree, the 5 strike rule is in operation in the Uk still [ I think ] - do you really think Frankie, or Ryan Moore look 'weak' and ineffective? The hell they do. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 9 minutes ago, Freda said: I agree, the 5 strike rule is in operation in the Uk still [ I think ] - do you really think Frankie, or Ryan Moore look 'weak' and ineffective? The hell they do. Neither get to ride mug or poorly trained and educated horses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gammalite Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 1 minute ago, Chief Stipe said: Neither get to ride mug or poorly trained and educated horses. Well in the general population of horses in country/ metro Victoria I can say it is a pleasure to watch the expert horse riding skills on display these days . The well balanced jockeys are really leading the way. Nearly all my bets are Vic racing these days, but without the 'Big Whip' riders these days , the lady jockeys and the apprentice jockeys are winning just as much as Ollie and Willow !! It's just great. ! Michael Walker ( a great whip rider) doesn't get the rides he used to.. The young ladies even winning every second race in South Australia it seems. Their Balance and poise is just so good and the reliance on whip riding is phasing out bit by bit. The two ladies in NZ leading the the riding ranks are doing brilliantly too. Less whip, Better Racing !! I would love to see any of them compete against Frankie (still no Melbourne Cup) or Ryan on any racecourse. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: All good Curious and I'm sure that you will be happy to see the same standards applied to and policed of those who break-in, pre-train and train these horse's. Afterall you will agree that many of the issues start at the beginning and what we see on raceday regarding horse behaviour is only the product that went before and often unseen. Yes, that would delight me. Always carry a stick when starting horses but only ever use it for a tap on the shoulder to regain attention. Mostly it's just tucked in my boot. Not sure how they'd police that but be great if they could. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 28 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Neither get to ride mug or poorly trained and educated horses. Then it's not the revised whip rule that is the problem is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 When I started riding back in 68 we couldn't carry a stick until we had 15 rides I think it was, and you couldn't ride in a 2yo race until you'd had a certain amount of rides either. We rode a lot longer back then and when you rode them out they could feel you kicking them in the ribs......now, they kick the saddle cloth or number cloth, if at all........what a different world it was. John Harris without doubt the strongest rider I saw, better than MRC, but he was a lazy bastard to boot, Heckle did his block that many times, it made no difference, all the Harris's had that genius, every bloody one of them, horses just ran for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 23 minutes ago, curious said: Then it's not the revised whip rule that is the problem is it? Correct. We should be addressing the fundamental issues first BEFORE we change the end bit. Not that the rule makers seem to understand what the fundamental issues are. Afterall we gallop our horses EVERY day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: Neither get to ride mug or poorly trained and educated horses. Frankie probably not...but Ryan Moore used to ride all sorts , anywhere, jumpers too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomates Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 53 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said: When I started riding back in 68 we couldn't carry a stick until we had 15 rides I think it was, and you couldn't ride in a 2yo race until you'd had a certain amount of rides either. We rode a lot longer back then and when you rode them out they could feel you kicking them in the ribs......now, they kick the saddle cloth or number cloth, if at all........what a different world it was. John Harris without doubt the strongest rider I saw, better than MRC, but he was a lazy bastard to boot, Heckle did his block that many times, it made no difference, all the Harris's had that genius, every bloody one of them, horses just ran for them. Most of the young riders here would be lost without a whip , they haven't got good enough seats or balance and they would have no idea how to kick a horse home . I reckon if you showed them a film of Bill Skelton hustling a horse home they would laugh and say he was scruffy . I see jockeys that have been riding for 5 or more years and they are no better now than they were after 2 , they are supposed to have done an apprenticeship and have become tradesmen/woman , but to most , and i can say it because i have had the conversation with some young riders , they do what they do because it is good money and what else would they do to get the same , basically it's just a job , could be stacking shelves . And it's getting worse . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shad Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 None of this will apease the general public or the animal right protesters, better off with no whips across the board, even that wont be enough for protesters, as they want the whole shebang closed down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 16 minutes ago, Shad said: None of this will apease the general public or the animal right protesters, better off with no whips across the board, even that wont be enough for protesters, as they want the whole shebang closed down. Better to keep it as is, stop bowing down to the world of woke, otherwise it never stops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomass Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 On 28/01/2021 at 10:39 AM, Chief Stipe said: That wasn't the question. Given the Jockey's in Victoria boycotted the first attempt the question is how many will support this new attempt? I guess in the interests of virtue signalling you would be quite happy to see the quality of our racing drop to Amateur level? Wouldn't be surprised if Wyatt Earp lined up...big money talks...abide by the rules...ok? Its about standing up with the rest of the World, man is not an Island...who knew? A few years down the Track the young generation will be told previous generations allowed horses to be whipped...to make them run faster... Jaw dropping stuff... This is the pain felt with Leah Hemi's Whip indentation last Saturday And some say it don't hurt...yea na 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 13 minutes ago, Thomass said: This is the pain felt with Leah Hemi's Whip indentation last Saturday And some say it don't hurt...yea na Wow you have finally found a benefit for High Definition race broadcasting! Another home goal! FFS Thomas - does your TV have a painometer? Or wires that you attach to your body so you can "FEEL" the pain? Your statement is outlandish. I also suspect that you have doctored that photo and it wouldn't surprise me. Easy to do you just colour darker the pixels a little bit. Huey has a very valid point. Where does Woke/Cancel culture stop? You are in favour of blind folding horses so they are not afraid or are made to feel afraid. You never seem to be able to work out which feeling so I guess your TV wires only measure certain "feelings"! So if you are consistent you will be calling for the banning of blinkers! Or why not next bit-less bridles? It hurts the horses mouths afterall the goal is to keep a sensitive mouth so you can steer them. What about the barbaric process of nailing iron shoes on their feet? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomass Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 2 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Wow you have finally found a benefit for High Definition race broadcasting! Another home goal! FFS Thomas - does your TV have a painometer? Or wires that you attach to your body so you can "FEEL" the pain? Your statement is outlandish. I also suspect that you have doctored that photo and it wouldn't suprise. Huey has a very valid point. Where does Woke/Cancel culture stop? You are in favour of blind folding horses so they are not afraid or are made to feel afraid. You never seem to be able to work out which feeling so I guess your TV wires only measure certain "feelings"! So if you are consistent you will be calling for the banning of blinkers! Or why not next bit-less bridles? It hurts the horses mouths afterall the goal is to keep a sensitive mouth so you can steer them. What about the barbaric process of nailing iron shoes on their feet? You'll notice the Whip is also striking the flank at the same time... Try running your fingers up and down a filly's flank and see which end of the neighbours spa you'll be sweating in Thats why NZTR signed up to the IFHA's latest declaration... 'thou shalt not Whip the flank' Alas when Ms Carter got home from the free holiday... Marty Burns and her suddenely forgot they'd signed the document... ...and didn't include it on their latest Whip missive FAIL INTEGRITY 101 BTW zero doctoring on that horror video still... If horses feel a wee bot fly on their skin...imagine how that feels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 29, 2021 Author Share Posted January 29, 2021 1 hour ago, Thomass said: Try running your fingers up and down a filly's flank and see which end of the neighbours spa you'll be sweating in Put some blinkers on and feel the fear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 29, 2021 Author Share Posted January 29, 2021 Young gun Will Price uses the whip to drive Diamonds In The Sky to victory at Caulfield. Picture: Getty Images JOCKEYS Winks: RV gone wrong way about whip reform Article Author Gilbert Gardiner 2:16PM27 January 2021 39 Comments Retired jockey James Winks has issued a scathing critique of Racing Victoria’s whip reform agenda, accusing the regulator of railroading participants. It comes after RV on Wednesday confirmed a pop up six-race country series, starting February 14 at Colac, was being introduced with an imposed limit of five strikes for the entire race. Winks, 37, who stepped away from the sport last year after a health scare and now mentors jockeys, said former colleagues were becoming increasingly frustrated at the RV “power thing”. “I know from when I was riding, we’re all on the same page, there’s going to be change, we accept that … it could be handled better,” Winks said. “I feel it‘s heading in the wrong direction, it’s like a power thing, they’ve got no backing from anyone else, just Racing Victoria, get everyone on board (first).” Winks would not at all be surprised if top jockeys avoided the series despite a prizemoney boost, citing solidarity and risk of being suspended during the lucrative Melbourne autumn carnival. Retired top class jockey James Winks rode Sir Dragonet in trackwork last year before the former international won the Cox Plate. Picture: Getty “You got to be real, unfortunately, there’s riders out there struggling to get rides,” Winks said. “They’ve got to support their families, if they’re going to get the opportunity to ride in them races, they’re going to ride in them, that’s the trouble, and they know that, Racing Victoria. “They can do what they want, they’re the bosses, but I feel they’ve gone the wrong way about it. James Winks works Sir Dragonet at Sandown last October. “Now, you’re putting people’s lives at risk for money.” Stewards will cop the brunt of it, having to police the “grey area”. “You’re going to get penalised if you hit it too many times and you’re going to get penalised if you’re not going to correct your mount,” Winks said. “Sometimes correcting your mount is by swapping the whip to your left hand, jockeys know, you can feel it when they’re going to go left so you give them one. “Jamie Kah isn’t a whip rider but she still uses it when she needs to, it’s a great skill. “It’s easy to pull the whip on a horse, it’s laziness, the skill is being able to get your horse to its top without using the whip and then presenting it at the right time to get the last bit out.” RV last year backflipped on a proposed whip-free series, accepting the language used was contrary its objective as jockeys would never be asked to ride without the essential piece of safety equipment. Under current Australia-wide rules, a jockey can use the whip five times in non-consecutive strides prior to the 100m mark and at the rider’s discretion in the final 100m. RV will use its upcoming country series to gather data and feedback on the perception of whips. “If it’s all about the punter then let’s get real,” Winks said. “When you walk into a pub and they’re yelling at the screen what are they saying, ‘whip it, hit it’, if you’re not seen doing something. “What are they (punter) thinking? ‘oh should have won, why didn’t you hit it?’, that’s what they’ll say, then it’s Twitter (abuse), ‘why didn’t you hit it’. “It will be an interesting watch, as a spectator, what jockeys decide, maybe they’ll sit like stale bottles of p---.” JOCKEYS ON NOTICE: WHIP STRIKE SLASHED 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young gun Will Price uses the whip to drive Diamonds In The Sky to victory at Caulfield. Picture: Getty Images JOCKEYS Winks: RV gone wrong way about whip reform Article Author Gilbert Gardiner 2:16PM27 January 2021 39 Comments Retired jockey James Winks has issued a scathing critique of Racing Victoria’s whip reform agenda, accusing the regulator of railroading participants. It comes after RV on Wednesday confirmed a pop up six-race country series, starting February 14 at Colac, was being introduced with an imposed limit of five strikes for the entire race. Winks, 37, who stepped away from the sport last year after a health scare and now mentors jockeys, said former colleagues were becoming increasingly frustrated at the RV “power thing”. “I know from when I was riding, we’re all on the same page, there’s going to be change, we accept that … it could be handled better,” Winks said. “I feel it‘s heading in the wrong direction, it’s like a power thing, they’ve got no backing from anyone else, just Racing Victoria, get everyone on board (first).” Winks would not at all be surprised if top jockeys avoided the series despite a prizemoney boost, citing solidarity and risk of being suspended during the lucrative Melbourne autumn carnival. Retired top class jockey James Winks rode Sir Dragonet in trackwork last year before the former international won the Cox Plate. Picture: Getty “You got to be real, unfortunately, there’s riders out there struggling to get rides,” Winks said. “They’ve got to support their families, if they’re going to get the opportunity to ride in them races, they’re going to ride in them, that’s the trouble, and they know that, Racing Victoria. “They can do what they want, they’re the bosses, but I feel they’ve gone the wrong way about it. James Winks works Sir Dragonet at Sandown last October. “Now, you’re putting people’s lives at risk for money.” Stewards will cop the brunt of it, having to police the “grey area”. “You’re going to get penalised if you hit it too many times and you’re going to get penalised if you’re not going to correct your mount,” Winks said. “Sometimes correcting your mount is by swapping the whip to your left hand, jockeys know, you can feel it when they’re going to go left so you give them one. “Jamie Kah isn’t a whip rider but she still uses it when she needs to, it’s a great skill. “It’s easy to pull the whip on a horse, it’s laziness, the skill is being able to get your horse to its top without using the whip and then presenting it at the right time to get the last bit out.” RV last year backflipped on a proposed whip-free series, accepting the language used was contrary its objective as jockeys would never be asked to ride without the essential piece of safety equipment. Under current Australia-wide rules, a jockey can use the whip five times in non-consecutive strides prior to the 100m mark and at the rider’s discretion in the final 100m. RV will use its upcoming country series to gather data and feedback on the perception of whips. “If it’s all about the punter then let’s get real,” Winks said. “When you walk into a pub and they’re yelling at the screen what are they saying, ‘whip it, hit it’, if you’re not seen doing something. “What are they (punter) thinking? ‘oh should have won, why didn’t you hit it?’, that’s what they’ll say, then it’s Twitter (abuse), ‘why didn’t you hit it’. “It will be an interesting watch, as a spectator, what jockeys decide, maybe they’ll sit like stale bottles of p---.” JOCKEYS ON NOTICE: WHIP STRIKE SLASHED 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.
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