Blake Shinn has been hit with a $2000 fine and a 12-meeting suspension after Racing Victoria stewards upheld a protest at Flemington.
Stewards lodged their own protest after Invincible Caviar and My Yankee Girl could not be separated at the end of the Festive Season Sprint (1200m) on Saturday.
On reviewing the film prior to correct weight, Blake Shinn, the rider of My Yankee Girl, was found to have used the whip on 12 occasions prior to the 100m mark, six times in consecutive stride, and in all on 27 occasions in the final 300m.
Australian whip rules restrict jockeys to using the whip on five occasions prior to the 100m mark before being able to use it freely in the run to the line.
“By breaching Rule 132 Subsection 7 of the Australian Rules of Racing, it is our view that Mr Shinn gained an advantage as had he not done so, Invincible Caviar would have finished ahead of My Yankee Girl. Therefore, the objection is upheld and the result is amended,” RV chief steward Robert Cram said in upholding the objection.
The only previous time a protest has been upheld in Australia on a whip breach was at the Sunshine Coast in 2016.
Cram said there had been no change of policy or direction from Victorian stewards who treat each case on its merits.
But he said Saturday’s occurrence was a gross breach of the whip rules.
“We believe by doing so, he gained an advantage,” Cram said.
“We have had some breaches of the whip (rule) previously that have been close, and stewards have discussed it (a protest) before.
“But this is the first time one has been lodged.”
Shinn said he had been trying too hard in the heat of the battle and acknowledged he needed to change his ways after returning from Hong Kong earlier in the year.
In Hong Kong there are no restrictions on jockeys with their use of the whip.
“You come here, you’re still learning to adapt to the different way,” Shinn said.
“I feel for my connections and the people that have supported My Yankee Girl.
“It’s upsetting. I’m disappointed in myself and upset for everyone involved.”
Stewards issued a charge of using the whip on seven occasions above the threshold prior to the 100m mark, fining Shinn $1000 and suspending him for 12 meetings while he was fined $1000 for using the whip on six consecutive occasions prior to the 100m mark.
Shinn told stewards it was a simple misjudgement of the distance he was from the winning post in pleading guilty to the charges.
“My riding was no different to any other race that I ride in,” Shinn told stewards prior to being charged with his whip offences.
“I’ve mistaken the 150-metre mark for the 100-metre mark and used the whip seven times.
“I haven’t thrown caution to the whip rule as I thought I was at the 100-metre mark.”
