HORSHAM Harness Racing Club President Justin Lane has labelled the recently announced planned ban on whips in harness racing and training as a drastic move.
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Horsham Harness Racing Club president Justin Lane said it seemed like a drastic move.
“There is a public perception, whether it’s right or wrong, that drivers, jockeys and riders unnecessarily whip the horses,” he said.
“That’s not the case. It is a pretty important tool to control the horse.”
Australia is set to become the first country in the world to voluntarily ban the use of the whip in harness racing.
Harness Racing Australia announced on Saturday that whips would be banned from next season.
Harness Racing Victoria chairman Dale Monteith applauded the announcement.
“Harness Racing Victoria is very supportive of the removal of whips and is proud of the announcement from Harness Racing Australia, which makes Australia the first country in the world to voluntarily ban the whip in horse racing,” Monteith said.
“Being community minded and socially aware is absolutely pivotal if our industry is to remain profitable and prosper into the future.
“The best strategy is to get on the front foot and address inevitable issues.
“Whipping horses to make them go faster is not acceptable in modern society.”
Lane said there had seen quite a bit of discord within the industry since the announcement was made.
“There does not appear to have been much consultation within the industry,” he said.
“There certainly was not any at club level and as far as I’m aware trainers and drivers didn’t get much input either.”
Within Australian harness racing, the use of the whip is already heavily policed.
“There is already a restriction on the amount of times you can use a whip, much like there is with thoroughbreds,” Lane said.
“Drivers are fined for overusing whips and it is on a rolling scale. After two or three indiscretions drivers will be suspended.”
He said the most concerning issue about the total ban was the safety implications.
“There are times in a race, or even in the education of the horse, that a whip is really important,” he said.
“The whip is not used in a bad way when it’s used in an educational manner.
“You may have a horse that is in front, leading a race, and it may shy away from an object as it goes past the post.
“That has the potential to bring down the whole field.
“All the horse would need is a light tap to set it straight.”
Lane said he thought there was more room to make changes without banning the whip.
“There could have been heavier penalties,” he said.
“That way the occasional reins-man who does the wrong thing could be punished accordingly.
“They could have looked at something like that first.”
The ban is set to be enforced from September 1 next year.
“I would imagine there is a fair bit of water to go under the bridge yet,” Lane said.
“Going by everything you read there is still a fair bit to come out before then. Until told otherwise we have to presume the ban will go ahead.”
Monteith said the welfare of horses was up to the industry as a whole.
“Ensuring our horses are cared for and their welfare is protected is everybody’s responsibility in this industry,” Monteith said.
“We will work closely with Harness Racing Australia and all industry groups to ensure the transition to no-whip racing is smooth and safe for horses, trainers and drivers.”