Terry Bailey is so kind to us, unfit horses back in the pack cannot be whipped enough to make them win against fitter horses racing on the pace.
Our Xmas present from racing....wahooo!
Bailey: Jockeys on same page regarding whip rules
Terry Bailey has been pleased by the efforts of jockeys to adapt Image: Getty
Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey says jockeys are 'pretty much on the same page' in regards to the implementation of the new whip rules.
This is despite public criticism from senior riders including Damien Oliver, Damian Browne and Jim Byrne denouncing the new restrictions.
The rules implemented on December 1 remove the distinction between forehand and backhand whip strikes so that there is a limit of five forehand or backhand whip strikes prior to the 100 metres.
Bailey said he met with Australian Jockeys Association general manager Des O'Keeffe on Monday and had a phone hook-up with a number of jockeys to explain how the rule would be handled by stewards.
"We just put the cards on the table how the stewards thought it should be handled and pretty much the jockeys were on the same page," Bailey said on RSN.
The chief steward said he had been pleased how all the riders had made a genuine effort to adapt quickly to be in-line with the new ruling.
"They've been very, very good. All the riders are mindful of it. We get the starter to remind the jockeys at the start, before they jump away."
"Obviously we spoke to a few riders late in the day yesterday, but overall it's been very good."
Four jockeys, Ben Thompson, Craig Williams, Patrick Moloney and Harry Coffey, were warned by stewards at Sandown on Wednesday for exceeding the maximum use of the whip prior to the 100m.
Bailey said jockeys would be given a number of chances before any punishments would be handed out for breaches of the rule.
"We've come to an understanding with the Jockeys Association that we'd give a couple of warnings and then if it got to reprimands and severe reprimands and then penalties."
"Someone would probably have to get it wrong four or five times before they face a fine, but hopefully it doesn't get to that."
The rule change was initiated by the integrity council at Racing Victoria, with Bailey stating it had been time the overuse of the backhand whip was addressed.
He said the paper put to Racing Australia had recommended even stricter rules, requiring non-consecutive strikes in the final 100m, which did not make the cut to the changes.
There has been dissention however from a number of jockeys about the change.
Damien Oliver labelled the rule change 'ridiculous' last week, stating the restrictions would result in some horses not being able to be competitive.
Queensland jockey Damian Browne backed-up Oliver's sentiment in his blog on Horseracingonly.com.au, stating there would be horses whose winning chances would now be compromised.
"If you don't give some horses three or four reminders to keep their mind on the job they won't get there," Browne said.
Browne also said if administrators continued to succumb to activists, in five years' time jockeys probably wouldn't be allowed to carry a whip.
Fellow Queensland rider Jim Byrne has expressed concerns that the new rule can lead to an unfair advantage.
Byrne said on social media if Racing Australia was truly concerned about animal welfare, anyone in breach of the rule should be protested against.
"Why have a rule that can be broken and profited from, if there are no consequences for all concerned except the jockey."
Daniel Ganderton also used social media to express his views, claiming the new rule was 'madness' and would lead to jockeys being questioned about their motives and lack of intent to win, resulting in the loss of punters and owners to the industry
