Newitt Whip Riding Under Scrutiny
Thursday, 23 October 2008:  | | Craig Newitt |
A national stewards conference last month resolved to investigate restricting the use of whip in races in line with rules in place in overseas racing jurisdictions.
Their recommendations will go before the Australian Racing Board in December with some major changes to the rules expected to be approved.
In one of the first public moves to harness the excessive use of the whip by jockeys in races, Victoria's chief steward Terry Bailey has put Newitt on notice for his vigorous style.
Newitt is an aggressive left handed whip rider who uses a rapid windmill action when attempting to get the best out of his mounts.
Critics singled out Newitt's winning ride on Pre Eminence in last Saturday's Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield as an example of his distinctive style.
Newitt was counted to have hit the three-year-old with the whip at least 25 times in the last 200 metres.
In England jockeys can be fined or suspended for applying the whip more than 10 times in the last furlong but his riding of Pre Eminence did not contravene Australian rules.
Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey said he intended to talk to Newitt about his use of the whip.
He admitted the rules relating to excessive whip use need to be made a lot clearer.
Bailey previously introduced rules to restrict whip use by drivers when he was chief steward of Harness Racing Victoria and supports rules that will restrict excessive use of the whip in thoroughbred races.
Bailey said he intends to talk with Newitt and give him an indication of what he feels is acceptable within the current rules.
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