Callow and the persuader
August 12th 2009 05:34
The introduction of padded whips, and new guidelines for use, have already come in for great criticism by jockeys across the nation.
(photo: Neil Murray)
The penalties already imposed (very little time for bedding down and transition) seem very harsh, with Brad Rawiller and Dale Smith being banned for four meetings - as well as being penalised by forfeiting their payment for the riding fees and winning percentage.
It does appear strange that now, with padded whips that many jockeys consider inadequate and insubstantial for safety, that stewards set targets (on how many consecutive slaps) and heights (a whip not allowed to be raised above shoulder height). Surely the introduction of the new whip is the fundamental aspect of the required change, and not a modification of norms or riding styles.
The appeal this Thursday on the severity of the suspensions incurred by Brad Rawiller, Dale Smith, and apprentice Lauren Stojakovic, will be closely watched by jockeys everywhere.
Noel Callow (on Radio 927) was scathing on the new whip rules:
"Have a look at a guy like Dwayne Dunn who has been developing and using his style for 20 years, now they tell him he has to change everything - it's just not right.”
Noel Callow has returned to Australia and seeks to resurrect his career in Victoria. He anticipates a long process in both getting his weight back under control (riding at 59 kg at Sandown and ideally wishing to lose another 4 kilograms to achieve an acceptable level as a ‘highweight jockey’) and gaining select rides from the top stables.
But to show his capabilities Noel Callow’s only ride at Sandown today resulted with a win on Mrs Waters, a speedy mare who cleared out to a six or more length break over the 1000m trip, railing like a greyhound on the sharp hometurn, and holding on to win - paying more than $13.00. Great judgement and vigour - we can only hope that any review shows that he has not infringed any of the new whip rules.
Below are the whip rules as fully explained by Racing Victoria:
NEW WHIP RULES EFFECTIVE 1ST AUGUST 2009
AR137A.
(1) (a) Only padded whips of a design and specifications approved by a panel appointed by the Australian Racing Board may be carried in races or official trials.
(b) Every such whip must be in a satisfactory condition and must not be modified in any way.
(c) The Stewards may confiscate any whip which in their opinion is not in a satisfactory condition or has been modified.
(d) Any rider who has been found guilty of a breach of this subrule may be penalised. Provided that the master and/or other person who is in charge of an apprentice jockey at the relevant time may also be penalised unless he satisfies the Stewards that he took all proper care to ensure the apprentice complied with the rule.
(2) Only whips of a design and specifications approved by a panel appointed by the Australian Racing Board may be carried in trackwork.
(3) The Stewards may penalise any rider who in a race, trial or trackwork, or elsewhere uses his whip in an excessive, unnecessary or improper manner.
(4) Without affecting the generality of subrule (3) of this rule, the Stewards may penalise any rider who in a race or trial uses his whip –
(a) forward of his horse's shoulder or in the vicinity of its head; or
(b) using an action that raises his arm above shoulder height; or
(c) when his horse is out of contention; or
(d) when his horse is showing no response; or
(e) after passing the winning post; or
(f) causing injury to his horse; or
(g) when his horse is clearly winning; or
(h) has no reasonable prospect of improving or losing its position, or
(i) in such manner that the seam of the flap is the point of contact with the horse, unless the rider satisfies the Stewards that this was neither deliberate nor reckless.
(5) In a race or trial a rider using the whip must give his horse time to respond and, other than on one occasion in the last 200 metres when the whip may be used in three consecutive strides, the whip shall not to be used in consecutive strides, other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder, with the whip hand remaining on the reins, or alternatively in a backhand manner.
(6) A rider shall not use the whip more than 5 times prior to the 200 metres other than with a slapping motion down the shoulder, with the whip hand remaining on the reins, or alternatively in a backhand manner
(7) (a) Any trainer, owner or authorised agent must not give instructions to a rider regarding the use of the whip which, if carried out, might result in a breach of this rule.
(b) No person may offer inducements to a rider, to use the whip in such a way that, if carried out, might result in a breach of this rule.
(8) Any person who fails to comply with any provisions of this rule is guilty of an offence
Noel Callow on his first ride back at Cranbourne
(photo: Neil Murray)
The penalties already imposed (very little time for bedding down and transition) seem very harsh, with Brad Rawiller and Dale Smith being banned for four meetings - as well as being penalised by forfeiting their payment for the riding fees and winning percentage.
It does appear strange that now, with padded whips that many jockeys consider inadequate and insubstantial for safety, that stewards set targets (on how many consecutive slaps) and heights (a whip not allowed to be raised above shoulder height). Surely the introduction of the new whip is the fundamental aspect of the required change, and not a modification of norms or riding styles.
The appeal this Thursday on the severity of the suspensions incurred by Brad Rawiller, Dale Smith, and apprentice Lauren Stojakovic, will be closely watched by jockeys everywhere.
Noel Callow (on Radio 927) was scathing on the new whip rules:
"Have a look at a guy like Dwayne Dunn who has been developing and using his style for 20 years, now they tell him he has to change everything - it's just not right.”
Noel Callow has returned to Australia and seeks to resurrect his career in Victoria. He anticipates a long process in both getting his weight back under control (riding at 59 kg at Sandown and ideally wishing to lose another 4 kilograms to achieve an acceptable level as a ‘highweight jockey’) and gaining select rides from the top stables.
But to show his capabilities Noel Callow’s only ride at Sandown today resulted with a win on Mrs Waters, a speedy mare who cleared out to a six or more length break over the 1000m trip, railing like a greyhound on the sharp hometurn, and holding on to win - paying more than $13.00. Great judgement and vigour - we can only hope that any review shows that he has not infringed any of the new whip rules.
Below are the whip rules as fully explained by Racing Victoria:
NEW WHIP RULES EFFECTIVE 1ST AUGUST 2009
AR137A.
(1) (a) Only padded whips of a design and specifications approved by a panel appointed by the Australian Racing Board may be carried in races or official trials.
(b) Every such whip must be in a satisfactory condition and must not be modified in any way.
(c) The Stewards may confiscate any whip which in their opinion is not in a satisfactory condition or has been modified.
(d) Any rider who has been found guilty of a breach of this subrule may be penalised. Provided that the master and/or other person who is in charge of an apprentice jockey at the relevant time may also be penalised unless he satisfies the Stewards that he took all proper care to ensure the apprentice complied with the rule.
(2) Only whips of a design and specifications approved by a panel appointed by the Australian Racing Board may be carried in trackwork.
(3) The Stewards may penalise any rider who in a race, trial or trackwork, or elsewhere uses his whip in an excessive, unnecessary or improper manner.
(4) Without affecting the generality of subrule (3) of this rule, the Stewards may penalise any rider who in a race or trial uses his whip –
(a) forward of his horse's shoulder or in the vicinity of its head; or
(b) using an action that raises his arm above shoulder height; or
(c) when his horse is out of contention; or
(d) when his horse is showing no response; or
(e) after passing the winning post; or
(f) causing injury to his horse; or
(g) when his horse is clearly winning; or
(h) has no reasonable prospect of improving or losing its position, or
(i) in such manner that the seam of the flap is the point of contact with the horse, unless the rider satisfies the Stewards that this was neither deliberate nor reckless.
(5) In a race or trial a rider using the whip must give his horse time to respond and, other than on one occasion in the last 200 metres when the whip may be used in three consecutive strides, the whip shall not to be used in consecutive strides, other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder, with the whip hand remaining on the reins, or alternatively in a backhand manner.
(6) A rider shall not use the whip more than 5 times prior to the 200 metres other than with a slapping motion down the shoulder, with the whip hand remaining on the reins, or alternatively in a backhand manner
(7) (a) Any trainer, owner or authorised agent must not give instructions to a rider regarding the use of the whip which, if carried out, might result in a breach of this rule.
(b) No person may offer inducements to a rider, to use the whip in such a way that, if carried out, might result in a breach of this rule.
(8) Any person who fails to comply with any provisions of this rule is guilty of an offence
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