MY CALL: THE FOLLY OF WHIP RULE PROTESTS

By David Fowler | Tuesday, August 18, 2020

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.

At the risk of differing from popular opinion … and its certainly won’t be the first or the last time….no protest should ever be upheld that involves a whip infringement.

In fact, I’m surprised the protest option is even allowed but maybe that’s a bridge too far.

My difference of opinion to the general consensus emanates from a dismissed protest at Morphettville on Saturday when Classy Joe and jockey Jeff Maund kept the race after trainer David Jolly protested for Maund’s excessive whip use before the 100 metres. Jolly trained the runner-up Andrea Mantegna.

Maund was subsequently fined and suspended for his whip display which seemed to be the trigger for many to declare that ipso facto the protest should have been upheld.

Why?

There is nothing in the rules to say a whip infringement means an automatic upholding of a protest. Not one line.

So, if there is a protest the steward’s panel will determine it on its merits.

Just like if a jockey rides carelessly and causes interference to a second placegetter. He or she will be punished suitably but there is no automatic ruling that he or she will lose the race.

Long-time listeners will remember I was aghast on this program when stewards did uphold an objection involving the whip at the Sunshine Coast in 2016.

Thank heavens common sense has prevailed and no panel has been foolhardy enough to decide in the same way ever since.

And that is precisely for one reason. Who can prove conclusively the whip makes the horse go faster. That the more of the whip equals a greater of the margin. Of course, no one can.

Those shouting loudly for an upheld objection at Morphetville are conflating two issues.

Punishments for whip infringements relate directly to excessive use which is an animal welfare matter and what these rules were always designed to cater for and assist in.

They are not designed to “do not pass go and go directly to jail “ in terms of losing a race on protest.

And nor should they ever be.

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