Jockeys' representatives confirmed this afternoon that written proposals have been submitted to the British Horseracing Authority as speculation mounts about a potential strike on Monday over new whip rules.
Richard Hughes, one of the senior figures in the weighing room, last night relinquished his licence after picking up his second ban in four days since the new instructions were introduced at the start of the week.
Hughes said he would not consider riding again until the rules changed.
A statement from the Professional Jockeys Association said its submission included revisions to the range of penalties for infringements as well as some further clarifications of the rules themselves.
It said PJA chief executive Kevin Darley reiterated that jockeys as a group welcomed the move towards greater precision in the amended rules.
"What jockeys do have concerns about, however, are the new penalties for what they perceive to be relatively minor infringements of the rules," Darley said.
"The PJA believes very strongly that this aspect needs to be reconsidered."
He stressed that riders understood how important it is that the sport of racing conveys the correct message about horse welfare to the public.
The statement added that the PJA hoped the BHA would respond positively and urgently to the proposals.
The courses due to stage fixtures on Monday - Windsor, Pontefract and Plumpton - said they had not been told of any potential strike action.
However, despite no jockeys appearing against the name of any horse at Windsor on the official BHA administration site, the racecourse was unwilling to confirm or deny if it had been advised of any action.
A spokesman said: "We're not getting involved and have no comment to make."
Pontefract and Plumpton said they had not been contacted.
A spokeswoman for Pontefract said: "We've seen what has been going on regarding the whip, but nobody has contacted us to say there is a strike."
Plumpton's spokesman said: "We've heard the rumours, but have not had any contact with anybody."
Tom Queally will be in the spotlight tomorrow when he takes the ride on this season's headline horse, Frankel in the Qipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.
He said in his blog on www.racinguk.com: "Introducing the new rules this week is rank bad timing and it's appalling for the sponsors QIPCO, who have invested so much into Flat racing and the British Champions Series.
"All the talk today should have been about the British Champions Day at Ascot, but there hasn't been a word about it. I feel very sorry for the sponsors.
"I obviously also feel sorry for Richard Hughes, who I am pretty friendly with and is one of the most respected guys in the weighing room.
"He's hit his horse six times on the two occasions he's been done, and he gets a 15-day ban for it. As Martin Dwyer said, it's like getting 15 years for stealing a loaf of bread.
"Only hitting the horse five times in the final furlong is where the rule falls down. If it was seven in total, then I think most jockeys could live with that.
"And as Richard told Racing UK yesterday, it's actually encouraging jockeys to hit the horse twice before the final furlong - when more often than not they don't need to. As a jockey you want to travel as long as you can on the bridle and without hitting them.
"I didn't have a problem with the BHA revising the rules, but they shouldn't compartmentalise a race, it should be a maximum of seven hits allowed at any time in a race, and the penalties need to be far less draconian.
"There is talk of a strike on Monday, and certainly some action needs to be taken.
"Richard said he felt sorry for me if I was in a position where I would have to exceed the seven on Frankel to get him home by a short head.
"My job is to extract the best out of my horse and any jockey worth his salt has an overwhelming desire to win, but obviously rules have to be obeyed. It's a very difficult scenario and one that jockeys shouldn't be thrust into."
