Jockey Club to discuss changes

THE Jockey Club are to discuss changes to its whip rule following the suspension of Frankie Dettori and Pat Eddery following a memorable finish to Saturday's, St Leger.

Dettori was ecstatic after landing the Doncaster Classic by a neck aboard Shantou from the Eddery partnered Dusyhantor. But his delight was short lived as he was handed a four day riding ban (September 23rd to 26th) for using his whip with unreasonable force and frequency.

Eddery too received a two day ban (September 23rd and 24th) for using his whip with unreasonable frequency on Dushyantor.

Dettori collected an eight day suspension following his 2,000 Guineas win on Mark Of Esteem and this latest ban takes him up to the Jockey Club's 12 day threshold.

Another breach of the whip guidelines will result in instant referral to the Disciplinary Committee and a further 14 day ban. That means Dettori's participation in some of the major races this autumn now hangs on a knife edge.

Both Dettori and Eddery declined to comment on the whip rule but Shantou's trainer John Gosden admitted: "It is a dilemma we face. It is a very good rule with a lot of good intentions, but in a major event with a tight finish, what are the chaps to do?"

Dettori has so far refused to comment on the possibility of an appeal against the ban.

An appeal must be a possibility because if his suspension were reduced to two days he would then fall short of the 12 day watershead.

The bans have brought criticism from some quarters and Malcom Wallace, the Jockey Club's director of regulation, said: "There is not a lot wrong with the rule but it might need a tweak. I will be recommending to Christopher Hall, the chairman of the disciplinary committee, that we discuss the matter at the committee's meeting in November.

When you have two superlative, of thrilling finishes of the season you do not want the image of a horse race spoiled by the headlines.

"The opening paragraphs in the Sunday papers were all about bans, Portman square, tolling up; all the things that should not be littering the pages after such a wonderful race."