YET ANOTHER AVOIDABLE COG IN THE WHEEL

UK Racing is beset by so many pressing issues of concern that the planned restrictive whip regulations that are now almost certain to be introduced have come without the open public pre amble in the press that would at one time have taken place.

Getting to the heart of the issue is the unpalatable fact that this is all about image. In fact since the now established air cushioned whips were introduced all whip regulations are solely a move to make things cleaner on the eye for the spectator - particularly those looking in indifferently or viewers with just a passing interest in the sport.

Many years have passed since riders were permitted to freely rain down sky high ariel strikes Eddery and Piggott style, though with the present design of whips we could return to those days with those that don't like it just having to learn that today's modern instruments applied to the hind quarters won't be causing any pain to an eighty stone beast.

With the present crop of riders riders learning their profession knowing they can't resort to habitual above shoulder high strikes (just two such strikes resulting in a minimum two days suspension) a return to such days would be unnecessary but the aforementioned two legends would only resort to this ultra aggressive looking style if they were receiving a response from beneath - for they were equally at home gently coaxing one home.

And by comparison however fierce the images may have looked, there were riders in Australasia who were far more carefree with their whip use. Mal Johnston, rider of the legendary Kingston Town, was notorious for his enthusiastic use of the stick. He was over in the UK on a working holiday in 1977 and rode Royal Palace's half brother Owen Jones to victory for Henry Cecil in that valuable three year old handicap run at Haydock in May under various different names down the years.

Then there was Philip Losh who rode in the UK for a short period over forty years back, noted for a Mick Channon style windmill action with his whip. One thing the new rules will at least ensure is that diversity in this area will be non existent. 

If truth be told, racing's rulers have for many years now been willing for matters involving the whip to be discussed in the open. For the cynical amongst us we can see, even if not by design, how this suits a purpose by consolidating the long held belief of the general public that this is the chief  'welfare' issue within the sport and that by addressing it they are making the game appear more animal friendly while at the same time sweeping the real and disturbing wastage issue under the carpet.

The PJA website has a detailed section on whip use, and what is considered acceptable. Some of it borders on comical such as rule 3 of the guidance of what rider's should consider. The rule advises that they should be " showing the horse the whip and giving it time to respond before using it", a sentence suggesting that the whip is a weapon that instills fears and is one that needs rephrasing.

It's also one thing handing out fines or suspensions to riders for breaching whip regulations, but the proposed disqualifications would be taking things over the edge, particularly if raceday stewards were given this power.

The present rules regarding the category of riding offence required for raceday disqualification are in many ways beneficial for the sport. More certainty for the punters, less time taken over deliberations, and much more preferable to the days when horses winning on merit then losing them in the Stewards room were much more common place.

While these rules spark controversy in that they attract an army of critics on the basis they embrace a ' win at all costs'  mentality, increasing the danger to both horse and rider, they had no bearing on the highest profile riding incident in recent times, resulting in life changing injuries to Freddy Tylicki. It will always remain a highly dangerous sport.

It would be most unwelcome for horses to lose races on the day from so called whip offences and in a time that racing needs punters to bet on it more than ever before with more alternative sports to bet on than ever before, it would be unwise to go down this path.

In many ways it's a great shame that this area of the sport along with multiple other areas of critical concern  temper what normally would have been reasons to digest and enjoy a so far enjoyable Flat season at a time when the actual racing needs as much positive publicity as possible.

The first four English classics falling to four unconnected sets of owning connections, four different trainers and four different sires. This added to a relative good spread of where the prizes have fallen - at least when compared to the last two decades overall.

Admittedly this unfortunately is unlikely to become a permanent escape from the two and three party domination of modern day UK Flat racing and of course it's nothing as varied as the fields assembled for typical top level events in the 1970's and early years of the 1980's, but it has been an unexpected and welcoming development.

But alas it's in the main been passing by unnoticed and is no more than a backdrop to the head spinning mess that has gripped the sport with these new needless whip use recomendations yet another addition to the swirl.

A great cover version from a legendary band and a track Daltrey has on his set list on his present tour. And of course from a time when racing was in a much better place.