October
AprilFine not the issue
Nothing of the little said in the mainstream media so far addresses frankly the real crux of the whip-use debate: winning jockeys in NSW could not give a stuff about whip-use fines (sensibly, secretly covered by grateful connections) but complexity builds if offending jockeys, subject to suspensions, might be denied lucrative carnival rides.
It is the "no suspensions" interpretation of the appropriate penalties for whip-rule beaches that defines the difference between Victoria and NSW: which affected interests and commentators in NSW have said this starkly and opposed the local powerbrokers? The popular focal point currently —- a fine of $2000 for winning a $250,000 race — is an absolute irrelevance.
The new whip rule and its conflicting applications are a clear sign that the administration of racing in Australia has atrophied. Accepted rituals of animal cruelty including "mulesing" of sheep and "marking" of roped cattle render insignificant the unrestrained communication of jockeys with horses using a device designed not to hurt horses unduly in any way.
Stand by for some racing-industry administrators sensibly inclined to spend more time with their families.
Windang (NSW)