I notice that the stewards are getting pretty slack at enforcing the whip rule, in particular
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.”
Drivers now go rat-a-tat-tat giving the horse 3 successive hits without time to respond to the first 'flick'
Here is an example from the last race I watched
http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...21#KIC06052106
Not terrible stuff even if it is to a 2yo having only its 2nd start but it contravenes the above rule