The whip rule madness continues...Now there are fears that a relegation rule will be introduced. Trainer Anthony Cummings raised that spectre after addressing a panel chaired by Australian Racing Board director and Racing Victoria chairman Michael Duffy heard submissions on penalties for overuse of the whip. Cummings Jnr says: 'There was no response to what we said, no questions were asked and no opinions were offered...Maybe they've made up their mind already, I don't know.' Then, the popular t
The whip rule madness continues...Now there are fears that a relegation rule will be introduced. Trainer Anthony Cummings raised that spectre after addressing a panel chaired by Australian Racing Board director and Racing Victoria chairman Michael Duffy heard submissions on penalties for overuse of the whip. Cummings Jnr says: 'There was no response to what we said, no questions were asked and no opinions were offered...Maybe they've made up their mind already, I don't know.' Then, the popular trainer raised the issue of relegation. He says: 'They are talking about relegation, its absurd, absolutely absurd...Stewards have done too good a job to date to eradicate malpractice and it's not fair they should open the door to that sort of thing...The bloke that rides it out to the line and hits the horse twice too often gets relegated so he's done the right thing and won the race then gets relegated...It's too incredible to even think about.'
The whip affair is becoming a blight on Aussie racing. It's a self-induced crisis. There was no problem. One was created by the Australian Racing Board. It set off a dangerous ripple effect which is tarnishing racing's image and raising questions about integrity. The whole thing is a national disgrace. Punters will soon lose faith in the game unless they are 100% convinced the horses they back are given every chance to win.