VICTORIAN jockeys believe they are being treated harshly by Racing Victoria Limited stewards over the new whip rules, with three suspended riders to appeal their penalties, reports The Age.It says: Brad Rawiller, Dale Smith, and apprentice Lauren Stojakovic were suspended for four meetings. They also lost riding fees as well as their winning percentage.Victorian Jockeys Association chief executive Des O'Keefe said yesterday he was anxious for riders in Victoria to have continuity in penalties.''

VICTORIAN jockeys believe they are being treated harshly by Racing Victoria Limited stewards over the new whip rules, with three suspended riders to appeal their penalties, reports The Age.

It says: Brad Rawiller, Dale Smith, and apprentice Lauren Stojakovic were suspended for four meetings. They also lost riding fees as well as their winning percentage.

Victorian Jockeys Association chief executive Des O'Keefe said yesterday he was anxious for riders in Victoria to have continuity in penalties.

''I don't think it's right to come in, as RVL stewards have, with a sledgehammer approach to a new rule that is drastically different for jockeys and a major cultural change,'' he said. 'It's a case of just slowly adjusting to new rules that none of these jockeys, young or old, have been exposed to in the past. We are encouraging all jockeys who have concerns about the new rule to attend the appeals on Thursday and see how the appeals board adjudicates the matter.''

However, in contrast to the reaction of Victorian stewards, interstate stewards have issued reprimands to jockeys instead of suspensions and fines.