HARNESS RACING VICTORIA STEWARDS – INDUSTRY NOTICE
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards intend to outline to all industry stakeholders the manner in which the newly formed ‘whip rules’ will be interpreted and applied from 1 May 2016, the date on which these rules take effect.
Whilst the majority of the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 156 are self-explanatory, HRV Stewards provide the interpretations below to assist participants in adhering to the applicable rules. The provisions of AHRR 156 which are not included below should be taken to be interpreted as per the plain reading of the rule.
HRV Stewards wish to draw the attention of all industry persons, including owners, to the provisions of AHRR 156B(1) which states:
“A person shall not instruct or offer an inducement to a driver to use a whip in a manner contrary to the provisions of Rule 156.”
Relevant Rules and HRV Stewards Interpretation
AHRR 156(2) states:
“A driver shall hold a rein in each hand at all times unless he or she is adjusting approved gear.”
HRV Stewards Interpretation:
Drivers must maintain a rein in either hand at all times unless adjusting or activating approved gear. E.g. removing hopple shorteners, deafeners or activating pull down head gear (blocks, dolly vardons etc.)
AHRR 156(3) states:
“A driver shall not use a whip in an unapproved manner.”
HRV 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)(d) 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:-
(d) If the reins are lengthened so as to result in loose reining regardless of whether the whip is being used at the same time. “
HRV 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.
AHRR 156(4)(f) 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:-
(f) If the whip is applied continuously and/or without allowing the horse time to respond.”
HRV Stewards Interpretation:
Drivers will be deemed to have used the whip continuously and/or without allowing the horse sufficient time to respond, including but not limited to, when the whip is used on more than ten (10) consecutive occasions and/or applied more than twenty (20) occasions over the final 200m. This is regardless whether the whip is striking the horse or the sulky.
Penalties
To afford drivers sufficient time to adjust to the rule amendments the following penalty guidelines will apply from 1 May 2016 – 31 May 2016:
Minimum Penalty Guidelines 1 May 2016 – 31 May 2016
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
From 1 June 2016 the below minimum penalty guidelines will apply:
Minimum Penalty Guidelines 1 June 2016 - Onwards
1st Offence: Minimum $200 fine
2nd Offence: Minimum $400 fine
3rd Offence: Minimum 2 Week Suspension of licence to drive in races
A driver’s record shall reset every 28 days
