Harness whip rules

[Messenger]

I didn't mean David Miles in the above post but when the replay becomes available check out his technique in the last 50m of Louis Sedgwick's win tonight
It would be possible to do 50 flicks in 14secs using this technique so I figure if he threw in a couple of pauses he would satisfy the Sept 1 rule

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...ic#SPC14081801

[Messenger]

David's quick action would not cut it in NSW however:

Term excessively, continuously and/or without allowing the horse time to respond will take their common meaning;

Although no limit is set within NSW, HRNSW Stewards will use discretion when determining this Rule;

It is considered that rapid use of the whip for a short or long period would be considered unapproved;

A clear break when applying the whip must be displayed.

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room...?news_id=38153

It is bloody ridiculous and a damming inditement of our industry's disunity that every state is bringing out their own version of the whip rule changes

[arlington]

I'll put this in here.

The topic of driver's dropping their foot to touch a horse's hock or hoof came up in a conversation over the weekend. One observer thought drivers were getting around the whip rules with this. Another comment was the fines for such seemed the same as whip infringements. A bit of debate about an unfair advantage from excessive whip use comparable to dropping the foot.
The questions were brought up that whilst whips are allowed, dropping the foot isn't so why the similar fines and, is a punter really ripped off if a driver employs a tactic that isn't allowed at all?

What are people's thoughts?

I was going to post this under Industry Indicators as a couple of the people in the conversation swing between the gallops and the trots with their dollars.

[Danno]

Wayne, from a horseman's/ driver's perspective rather than a punter's or a Steward's viewpoint dropping the foot to make contact with the hocks is an action that rarely has greater rewards than the exposed risk. In short, a desperate measure, you do see it happening from time to time down under, it was VERY common a few years ago in North America and quite predictably fell out of fashion about the same time a few "locals" were giving it a "go".

A bit like a new "fad" that was/has been doing the rounds, putting your horse too short in the bike so his hind feet make contact with the wheels to "stir him up" and maybe get him to engage some adrenalin.

It's always important to think like a horse if you want to successfully engage with them the but this crap is bordering on animal cruelty in my humble opinion.

[Messenger]

http://www.harnesslink.com/Canada/Wh...a-hitch-at-H3R

Whipless racing goes off without a hitch at H3R

[arlington]

I heard someone gave that link to the numerous jockeys who infringed in Australia's greatest showcase, the Melbourne Cup. Was that you Kev?

[Messenger]

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room...?news_id=43662

Not surprised to see this reminder - seeing a driver using a flicking motion is less often than not

[Messenger]

Flicking motion LOL
Check out winner Bullys Delight in R1 at Melton tonight - he copped more shoulder than the local butcher
(and the 2nd horse). Kate Gath 3rd on the fav seemed to be correct

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...20#MXC12062003

Looking at the stewards comments column - the driver was probably fined for this but do you think it will stop him or any other doing it again to win

[Messenger]

Are we really pretending that our leading driver Chris Alford is using a flicking motion

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...20#SPC19062006

[Messenger]

In Video Highlights at the bottom of the HRA homepage you will find a video about the new whip rule featuring John Tapp and Todd McCarthy

http://www.harness.org.au/index.cfm