Racing: Australians decline to assist whip study

The Australian Racing Board has refused to participate in a University of Sydney proposal to conduct a study that would use thermographic cameras to determine if whip use causes pain and injury to a racehorse.

Paul McGreevy, professor of animal behaviour and animal welfare science, said he emailed Australian Racing Board chief executive Peter McGauran on October 7 asking for permission to conduct a pilot study, in which up to 30 racehorses would be examined at a racetrack with a thermographic camera before they raced and, if the whip was used on them, new images would be taken after the race.

McGreevy received a one-sentence reply from McGauran thanking him for the request but stating that the ARB, which represents racing authorities throughout Australia, would not participate.

McGauran declared the ARB did not agree with work previously conducted by McGreevy, who does not believe whips should be used, adding: "Why would we put our reputation and credibility in the hands of an avowed enemy who is pursuing a research project only for the purpose of proving a preconceived position he has reached?"

McGreevy said he was not anti-horse racing and would look to conduct his research in India.

The whip issue jumped into the headlines recently when Victorian jockey Kevin Forrester was fined A$2000 for overuse of the whip on Ballarat Cup winner Mujadale.

Forrester vigorously struck the horse from the top of the straight to the winning post and apart from being fined was roundly criticised by fellow jockeys, echoed by stewards in telling Forrester his style would not be tolerated because of public image.

Whip rules vary between Australia and New Zealand.

In Australia, a jockey cannot hit a horse in consecutive strides between the final 200m and 100m. In the final 100m, a jockey can use the whip only seven times.

In New Zealand before the 200m, the whip can be used in six consecutive strides then not for another six strides. Inside the 100m there is unlimited use provided the horse is in contention.

There clearly needs to be some latitude - imagine being a nose behind the leader 50m from the finish of the Melbourne Cup and you've used your seven whip flourishes.

Do you think you might be tempted to go for the eighth?

Um, yes.