Chuck 'em out...That's the thrust of a stinging letter from racehorse owner Peter Lawrence following the Australian racing Board's decision last week not to make any changes to those b izarre new whip rules. Lawrence's letter is a call to arms to the industry and seeks a no-confidence vote in the ARB. In part, Lawrence says: 'In a staggering example of the general malaise that seems to have infected all racing journalists in this state, this extraordinary decision raised barely a mention in the

Chuck 'em out...That's the thrust of a stinging letter from racehorse owner Peter Lawrence following the Australian racing Board's decision last week not to make any changes to those b izarre new whip rules. Lawrence's letter is a call to arms to the industry and seeks a no-confidence vote in the ARB. In part, Lawrence says: 'In a staggering example of the general malaise that seems to have infected all racing journalists in this state, this extraordinary decision raised barely a mention in the mainstream press, who seem to have been so seduced by TABCORP-inspired pay packets that they are terrified of saying anything that may upset anyone involved in administering racing. This should have been the biggest news story of the year.'

The fiery Lawrence goes on to say: 'Here we have the ARB, a board who is in charge of administering racing on behalf of industry's participants, confirming a rule that at least NINETY PER CENT of racing's participants are vehemently opposed to! I can't recall even one single trainer or jockey I have heard interviewed over the past six months who have been in favour of the current rule. Turf legends like Bart Cummings, Darren Beadman and Damien Oliver along with a host of others have labelled the new laws "ridiculous." How is it possible that the ARB, whose primary role is to administer racing on BEHALF OF INDUSTRY PARTICIPANTS has set itself up as a dictatorship?'

Big question: Will the ARB respond? Next big question: Will industry participants respond? Next episode coming up...