Harness Racing Australia has announced that the first step in an industry transition strategy designed to introduce the new rules governing whip use in harness racing
commenced Monday, October 26 with the release of a DVD and frequently asked questions (FAQs) education tools.
The new rules, which eliminate the excessive and highly visible use of the whip in harness races, come into effect in Australia on January 1, 2010.
“These educational tools have been prepared to assist both the industry and punters in understanding the new rules through illustrations of the right and wrong way to drive a horse within new the rules, detailing the uniform penalty template developed by Chairmen of Stewards for those who breach the new whip rules and an explanation of the new types of whips allowed under the new rule,” HRA chairman Geoff Want said.
The DVD and FAQs, compiled with the assistance of leading reinsmen Lance Justice and Gavin Lang, can be viewed on the national harness racing website harness.org.au or on YouTube by clicking here. State bodies are undertaking various measures to ensure a broad distribution at a local level.
The transition period also sees the new rules introduced for trials as of November 1, 2009.
To view a PDF copy of the FAQs, click here.
(With files from Harness Racing Australia)
This is a very well done and
This is a very well done and interesting dvd to watch. It is refreshing to see that a leading driver (Gavin Lang) and trainer-driver (Lance Justice) are on this dvd promoting the new whip rules.I checked the web sites and found that both Gavin and Lance are at the top in Australian racing. Australia racing appears to have a political advantage in that the rules will apply to the whole country which will be very beneficial.