Jockey Neil Farley has become the first jockey suspended for breaking the whip rule in Racing Victoria’s restricted whip race series.
Jockeys who ride in the Country Mile Race Series cannot use the whip more than five times in a race.
Farley, was on board placegetter Spanish Snitzel in the seventh event at Swan Hill yesterday, the Pooles Accountants BM64 1600 metre handicap and used the whip nine times, four times more that allowed.
He was suspended for nine meetings and fined $500. Under the rules of the series, Farley will not be allowed to ride in the March 13 final of the series.
Farley’s overuse of the whip also means that the Con Kelly trained, Spanish Snitzel will ineligible to compete in any further heats or the final of the 2021 Country Mile Race Series.
Farley’s suspension will commence at midnight on Monday, February 22 and finish at midnight, Tuesday, March 2.
