Monday 17 October 2011

Johnson Hopeful about Whip Talks


National Hunt jockey Richard Johnson hopes discussions on Monday will mean changes to the new whip guidelines.

The introduction of more stringent whip rules led to speculation that jockeys would take strike action in protest.

Christophe Soumillon received a ban and and forfeited £50,000 in prize money after guiding Cirrus Des Aigles to Qipco Champion Stakes victory

Johnson told Racing UK: "We realise it had to be changed, but there are one or two issues that need to be resolved."Richard Johnson supports some change

Representatives of the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will discuss the fall-out which also saw top Flat jockey Richard Hughes hand in his licence.

Johnson said: "The rules were brought in quickly and obviously the BHA are under pressure to tighten up the rules.

"We all feel that the people who do abuse the stick do need coming into line, but at the moment, the rules don't really seem to be achieving the objective.

"The people who use the stick well and in the best interests of racing unfortunately seem to be the ones who are getting penalised the most at the moment."

"We realise it had to be changed, but there are one or two issues that need to be resolved."

Referring to Soumillon's fine and suspension, he said: "Whether it was the French horse at Ascot or Richard Hughes, everyone in the weighing room felt both jockeys had given their horses really good rides and realistically, they are getting penalised for doing their job very well.

"I think it's hard for us to adjust to a change overnight and obviously the more we ride the easier it will become.

"The penalties that they have put in place are very harsh. I think it does need looking at again."

NEW WHIP RULES
Maximum seven strokes in Flat races and eight over jumps
Only five times after last obstacle or in final furlong
Riding fees and prize money forfeited when whip ban of three days or more
BHA to review licences of repeat offenders