Racing: NZ resists adopting controversial rule

New Zealand racing authorities have resisted the whip rule that has caused consternation across the Tasman.

Jockeys in four states went on strike on Thursday, causing race meetings to be abandoned as they protested over the Australian Racing Board (ARB) decision to stick by its controversial rule.

The ARB rules include a limit on the number of times a jockey can hit a horse before the last 200m, and a ban on hitting horses in three consecutive strides in the final 200m.

New Zealand and Australia made the use of padded whips mandatory on August 1.

But New Zealand has stuck to a directive to jockeys, in place for several years, which allows the whip to be used on consecutive strides in the final 200m.

Before the 200m, it can be used six times in consecutive strides, but the jockey must then use the reins only for six strides before the whip can be used again.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing spokesman Simon Cooper said the industry was satisfied with the directive. "It's considered to have worked well here and if someone has been excessive it's ultimately down to the discretion of stipendiary stewards."

Before he left for a new job in Macau last month, NZTR chief stipendiary steward Reid Sanders said that while the Australian situation was being monitored, New Zealand was unlikely to follow suit.

"I don't think we need to, we don't have the sit-down-and-bash-them riders they have in Australia."

- NZPA