The answer is a pineapple. That has to be the response from punters and owners after three separate incidents involving the new whips rules across the country. Last week I made reference to the Newcastle race where the stewards upheld a protest against Love Like Rockets when it was found the driver Adam Ruggari had used the whip illegally under the new rules and the whip use had a direct effect on the result of the race.
Whether you agree with the new rules or not, the decision made by the stewards was a correct one and there has to be a deterrent for drivers in using the whip in an incorrect manner in close finishes. Fast forward the clock to Tuesday at Albion Park. The first race was won by Longwoods driven by Gary Lefoe. The horse used the sprint lane to beat the short priced favourite Major Mac and Lefoe used the whip with his free hand after crossing the reins. The margin between first and second was a head (the same margin at Newcastle) and yet there was no stewards protest and all clear was given.

The Albion Park stewards report makes for interesting reading with it stating that G Lefoe pleaded guilty to contravening rule 156(2) in that he crossed his reins and applied the whip with a free hand and as a result was fined $200. The stewards went on to fine Lefoe another $200 for using the whip in an excessive manner.
So what does a punter think after those two similar incidents? How do you explain to them that if they backed Love Like Rockets at Newcastle they lost their money and if they backed the second horse in Brisbane there was no protest and they lost their money again? Yes, there are different stewards panels in Queensland and New South Wales but surely the small punter in the TAB can expect the Australian harness racing rules will be interpreted in the same manner in both states. The difference is simply a disgrace and it needs to be addressed immediately before more punters walk away from the sport.

There was another case in the Shepparton Cup on Saturday night where Mark Peace, the driver of Cincinnati Kid crossed his reins and used the whip with his free hand. Cincinnati Kid finished second behind Tanabi Bromac but the margin between second and fifth was only 1.7 metres. The stewards report for the meeting is yet to be published on the national website but Peace was fined as a result of the drive and once again if it was for whip use, punters need to be protected. How can a driver who is breaking the rules be allowed to flaunt the new laws and hold his position. The only deterrent at the moment is monetary but drivers won't care in the final of a group 1 race if it means the difference between winning and running second. Especially in jurisdictions outside New South Wales where the horse is in no danger of losing his finishing position.
I spoke with Barry Lew yesterday after the Shepparton Cup and after returning to the stables on Saturday night Greg Bennett had said to Barry that if he had been able to give the old boy a hit with the whip he would have held second. It just doesn't seem fair to me!

The racing over the weekend was exciting especially the Western Australia Cup which was won by the John McCarthy trained Washakie. I can't believe that owners are reluctant to send their horses west in chase of the big money. I can understand the top liners staying at home for races like the Inter Dominion and Hunter Cup which will both be contested in the next six weeks but I do find it surprising that the horses just below the top echelon don't consider heading across.

Our Malabar is a perfect example. Owned in the same interest at Smoken Up, the syndicate decided they didn't want their two horses racing one another in the big races and they also understand that Our Malabar doesn't have the same ability as his high flying stablemate. When Our Malabar finished third on Friday night he took his WA earnings to the $100,000 mark, not bad for a horse that only had ten starts in Perth. There is no way he would have won that money in the east and the horse will now return to Lance Justice to be prepared for the Inter Dominion series in New South Wales. What happens after the series is yet to be decided but I don't think it will be long before Our Malabar is back in the west on a fulltime basis.

Close to home the Raith Memorial was won by the David Kennedy trained Ima Happy Girl at Harold Park on Friday night. The horse was driven extremely aggressively in the early stages and found the front off the back row. The three year old filly was driven in a very similar fashion as Temora the week before and was beaten comfortably but the drop back to her own age and sex was a big help. Lady Euthenia finished fourth less than 8 metres from the winner and while those who backed her would be disappointed I wouldn't be so quick to judge her. She had plenty going against her last week including being first up from a spell, barrier seven and the short 1760 metre trip. Lady Euthenia will be better for the run and I think she is going to take a lot of beating in the NSW Oaks.

Expect to hear more about an altercation at Tamworth on Sunday night after the running of the Golden Guitar. Stewards at the meeting were caught in the "middle" of the incident and an inquiry will be opened as a result. On a brighter note congratulations to Ben Settree, the trainer of Emjayem Grand after his victory in the Tamworth feature. Suited by a fast tempo he won comfortably and it was good to see the former Gold Crown winner back in the feature winners circle. I'm off to Parkes for the Carnival Of Cups meeting tomorrow and while the Cup didn't stand up it still should be a great meeting. Catch you next week.