Penalty changes sought
We want a balance in animal welfare and safety and control of
the horse.
THE national association for harness racing drivers wants animal welfare to be a priority as it pushes for changes to the code’s whip regulations.
At the same time, it is in talks with the Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) to reduce penalties for drivers who break whip guidelines.
The guidelines have been a hotly debated issue since a 10strike threshold was introduced in December.
Since the change, drivers who have broken the rules have racked up thousands of dollars of fines and lost dozens of driving days through suspension.
But New Zealand Harness Racing Trainers and Drivers Association chairman Rob Lawson said although not all drivers had adjusted well to the December rollout, the general effect had been positive.
‘‘The whole spectacle is so much cleaner than what is was.’’
‘‘Overall, we should be happy with the outcome.’’
The association acknowledged how important it was that the sport displayed high animal welfare standards, and that was at the forefront of its whip discussions.
‘‘Overall, there has been much more of a concern for animal welfare than there ever has been and that is really valid,’’ Lawson said.
‘‘We want a balance in animal welfare and safety and control of the horse.’’
While the horsemen’s association wants to see those penalties reduced, it still wanted the sport’s worst offenders to be punished, Lawson said.
‘‘If someone is a bad offender, well over the 10 strikes, the penalties may well be higher.’’
The association is seeking a reduced scale of fines and a redefining of what constitutes a strike.
‘‘We are pushing on a reduced fine scale based on the number of strikes,’’ Lawson said.
‘‘The 10strike policy is not going to go.’’
At present, almost all styles of whip strike, no matter how hard or soft, are treated the same.
The horseman’s association wants flicking urges, that many do not consider to be a proper strike, ruled out under the proposed rules.
‘‘We are looking at a complete review of the whipping guidelines . . . and what constitutes a strike and what doesn’t.’’
Lawson is confident his association can succeed with changes.
‘We are very confident because of the liaison we have had, particularly with the RIU on this, that we will come up with a penalty regime that is better, not as punitive as the current one.’’