A landmark hearing has found that penalties for jockeys breaching the new whip rules should not include suspensions except in extreme cases.On Monday Victoria's Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (RADB) upheld an appeal by champion jockey Craig Williams against a four-meeting suspension for excessive use of the whip in a forward motion at Moonee Valley last Wednesday.The board comprising chairman Russell Lewis, Ron Taylor and Geoff Ellis was unanimous finding in favour of Williams and its vie

A landmark hearing has found that penalties for jockeys breaching the new whip rules should not include suspensions except in extreme cases.

On Monday Victoria's Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (RADB) upheld an appeal by champion jockey Craig Williams against a four-meeting suspension for excessive use of the whip in a forward motion at Moonee Valley last Wednesday.

The board comprising chairman Russell Lewis, Ron Taylor and Geoff Ellis was unanimous finding in favour of Williams and its view that a suspension was generally not appropriate for whip rule breaches.

Williams struck his mount Flying Tessie 10 times, five times more than allowed under the rules, before the 100 metres. The RADB varied his penalty to a $500 fine.

At the same race meeting Racing Victoria stewards fined Damien Oliver $400 fine for hitting his mount Clearway nine times before the 100-metre mark.

Judge Lewis said that under the new padded whip rule guidelines a suspension in Williams' case did not fit the principle of proportionality.

The board could not accept that a suspension for a whip breach could equate to a similar penalty for careless riding.

Victorian Jockeys Association chief executive Des O'Keeffe represented Williams at the hearing and was thrilled with the RADB decision.

"We see it as a defining decision regarding putting penalties for breaches of the whip rule in perspective," O'Keeffe said.

"No one wants to see drastic breaches of the rule go unpunished and not be subject to significant ramifications but it is clear today that penalties for breaches of this rule can't compare with the rule relating to riding safety and careless riding charges."

Meanwhile Caulfield Cup carnival plans for Williams will known on Tuesday after stewards charged him on Saturday with careless riding on Maldivian in the Group One Turnbull Stakes.

The inquiry was adjourned to allow Williams to call Red Lord's jockey Glen Boss to give evidence.