Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards advise drivers in the Victorian Harness Racing industry of the implementation of amendments to the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) in relation to whip use requirements that are effective from Tuesday 1 September 2020.
Link to HRA Video - Whip Rule Implementation and Associated Requirements
WHIP RULE AMENDMENTS (AMENDMENTS IN BOLD)
Rule 156
(1) (a) A driver shall only use and be in possession of a whip approved by the Controlling Body.
(b) A whip, once approved –
(i) shall not be modified in any manner; and,
(ii) shall be maintained in a satisfactory condition.
(c) A whip that does not comply with sub-paragraph (b) may be confiscated by the Stewards.
(2) (a) A driver shall only apply the whip in a wrist only 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.
(b) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (a), “wrist only flicking motion” means:-
(i) Ensuring no force is generated by the use of the elbow or shoulder when applying the whip.
(ii) The forearm is not raised beyond forty-five degrees relative to the racing surface.
(iii) Not applying the whip with overt force.
(3) A driver shall not use a whip in an unapproved manner.
(4) 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.
(b) If the whip is applied when the horse:-
(i) is not visibly responding;
(ii) is not in contention;
(iii) cannot maintain or improve its position;
(iv) is clearly winning;
(v) has passed the winning post at the finish of a race.
(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.
(d) If the whip is used in a prodding or jabbing fashion.
(5) A driver shall not use the whip in a manner which causes injury to a horse.
(6) A whip shall not be used so as to obstruct, strike or endanger another driver or horse.
(7) A driver shall not allow a whip to project outside the sulky.
(8) A person who fails to comply with any provision of this Rule is guilty of an offence.
Whip Type
Until further studies and a review is conducted by HRA, the existing AHRR 156A relating to the type of whip, will remain in place:
The approved whip is a flexible whip of black or dark tan colour with a core of fibreglass with a handle base and shaft and either a leather keeper to a maximum of 60 millimetres in length and 20 millimetres in width or a non rigid tip amounting to a maximum overall length of 1600 millimetres.
HRV STEWARDS PENALTY GUIDELINES
To afford drivers sufficient time to adjust to the rule amendments, all drivers whip offence record will be reset as of 1 September 2020 and the following minimum penalty guidelines shall apply from 1 September 2020 – 31 October 2020:
Minimum Penalty Guidelines 1 September 2020 – 31 October 2020
Rule 156(2)
1st Offence: Caution*
2nd Offence: Minimum $200 fine
3rd Offence: Minimum $400 fine
4th Offence: Minimum 2 Week Suspension of licence to drive in races
Rule 156(3)
Please note that in accordance with the provisions of Rule 156(3) when using the whip in an unapproved manner, HRV Stewards will continue to police this rule when drivers utilise the whip on more than 20 occasions in the final 200m, which will be considered to be using the whip excessively and or too continuously.
1st Offence: Caution*
2nd Offence: Minimum $100 fine
3rd Offence: Minimum $200 fine
4th Offence: Minimum 7 Day Suspension of licence to drive in races
All drivers offence records will again reset on 1 October 2020 and 1 November 2020.
*Where HRV Stewards form an opinion that the driver has not attempted to comply with the applicable rules, a penalty greater than the advertised minimum may be applied.
HRV Stewards will review the above penalty guidelines against offending under the new whip rules to consider and then determine the penalty guidelines to be applied from 1 November 2020.
