INDUSTRY NOTICE- Tasmania- New Whip Rules effective 1 September 2018
Office Of Racing Integrity Stewards provide the following information to outline to participants the manner in which the new ‘whip rules’ will be interpreted and applied from 1 September 2018.
Whilst the majority of the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 156 are self-explanatory, ORI Stewards provide the interpretations below to assist participants. The provisions of AHRR 156 which are not included below should be interpreted as per the plain reading of the rule.
Relevant Rules and ORI Stewards Interpretation
AHRR 156(2) states:
“A driver shall only apply the whip in a flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder.”
ORI Stewards Interpretation includes but is not limited to:
Drivers must maintain a rein in either hand at all times when applying the whip.
Once a drivers whip hand is not pointing forward Stewards will deem the tip of the whip not to be pointed forward.
Should the drivers whip hand be raised above shoulder height when the whip is applied it will be deemed to be engaging the shoulder.
The whip should only be applied with a flicking motion.
AHRR 156(3) states:
“A driver shall not use a whip in an unapproved manner.”
ORI Stewards Interpretation:
Drivers will be deemed to have used the whip in an unapproved manner, including but not limited to when the whip is used in a manner contrary to any provision of AHRR 156(4).
AHRR 156(4)(a) states:
“For the purposes of sub-rule (3) a driver shall be deemed to have used the whip in an unapproved manner in the following circumstances which are not exclusive:-
(a) If the whip is applied excessively, continuously and/or without allowing the horse time to respond.”
ORI Stewards Interpretation:
Drivers must demonstrate a pause in their use of the whip, continuous use without a pause will be considered to be a breach of the rules.
AHRR 156(4)(c) states:
“For the purposes of sub-rule (3) a driver shall be deemed to have used the whip in an unapproved manner in the following circumstances which are not exclusive:-
(c) If the reins are lengthened so as to result in loose reining regardless of whether the whip is being used at the same time. “
ORI Stewards Interpretation:
Loose reining will be interpreted as follows:
- Loopy shaking of the reins;
- Lengthening of the reins which allows the driver to apply the whip with more force;
- The reins and drivers hands being lifted above the drivers shoulders.
Penalty Guidelines
To afford drivers sufficient time to adjust to the rule amendments the following minimum penalty guidelines will apply from 1 September 2018 – 31 October 2018:
Minimum Penalty Guidelines 1 September 2018 – 31 October 2018
156(2)
1st Offence: Reprimand
2nd Offence: Minimum $200 fine
3rd Offence: Minimum $400 fine
4th Offence: Minimum 2 Race date Suspension of licence to drive in races
156(3)
1st Offence: Reprimand
2nd Offence: Minimum $100 fine
3rdOffence: Minimum $200 fine
4th Offence: Minimum 2 race date Suspension of licence to drive in races
All drivers offence records will reset on 1 September 2018 and 1 November 2018.
From 1 November 2018 the following minimum penalty guidelines will apply:
Minimum Penalty Guidelines 1 November 2018 onwards
156(2)
1st Offence: Minimum $200 fine (suspended )
2nd Offence: Minimum $400 fine
3rd Offence: Minimum 2 Race date Suspension of licence to drive in races
156(3)
1st Offence: Minimum $100 fine(suspended)
2nd Offence: Minimum $200 fine
3rd Offence: Minimum 2 Race date Suspension of licence to drive in races.
Further consultation and modelling will take place to determine the length of time that fines will be suspended for first offences.
Where Stewards determine a breach of the rule to be a blatant breach then stronger penalties may be imposed.
Feature Races- Where a breach occurs in a feature race fines will not be suspended. Feature races will be defined as those with total stakemoney of $15000 or more.
Whip used with a free hand. Where a driver crosses their reins and uses the whip with a free hand fines will not be suspended.
Stewards will speak advisedly to those drivers who are identified prior to 1 September with a whip action that requires modification to comply with the new rule.
All drivers are advised to take note of the animation for guidance on the appropriate whip action that can be found outside drivers and Stewards rooms and on the ORI website.