The brave decision by Harness Racing Australia to ban whips from September shows a racing code that is finally in touch with modern standards.

While horsemen prefer the option of the whip, the way the rules have gone in the past couple of years makes this decision an easy step. It is better to take this measure now and retain some control, rather than wait for it to be forced on the sport.

The gear used in harness racing makes the whip less of a safety device than it is in the thoroughbred world. The skill in pacing is more to use other gear to help the horse find its best. The whip should be the last resort.

The argument that the whip is safety tool is sure to be run, and perhaps the rules will allow it to be carried but, if used, disqualification is the result.

Those who think it will happen eventually in the thoroughbred world should remember there are not as many checks and balances for jockeys on the top of a horse.

Questions over Waller's fines

There is something out of kilter with Chris Waller's last two fines for presenting horses to the races with a prohibited substances in their system.

Junoob won a Metropolitan and was found to have Lasix in its systems, while Betcha Thinking ran second in a midweek race with elements of ice in its system. Both fines were $30,000.

There was no way Waller had control over the positive result for ice, while it could be argued the positive for Junoob was a breakdown in his stable's system. It was also a group 1 and the fine always looked a bit light.

Waller carried a weighting for the previous offence when fined $30,000 on Friday, and stewards obviously took into account that the reason for the positive could not be explained.

The fact that one of the five staff, who tested positive to drugs, is still on the books will have raised concerns, as will the fact the stable security cameras were unable to be accessed.

However, given the fines from other ice cases, there is a good chance Waller can get a reduction on appeal.

Berry's top night

Tommy Berry said watching his pacer Nathan's Courage run in the Golden Nugget at Gloucester Park was as good as riding in a group 1.

The pacer, named in honour of his late twin brother, ran second and Berry cheered from his lounge room after the Canterbury night meeting.

"You can't sleep after riding at those meetings and I got home in time to watch him," Berry said. "It was a strange feeling, there were certainly nerves, and to see him run a placing was exciting.

"You aren't in control and that made it better in a way. The horse has given us some great nights and that was one of the best."

Conflict looms

There is set to be a stand-off between Sky channel and Racing.com this week as Lizzie Jelfs starts in Sydney.

Racing.com is set to enforce a six-month non-compete clause in Jelfs' contract as she returns to Sydney, were she is based with Sky.

Jelfs is scheduled to be part of Saturday's Villiers Stakes coverage on Sky, which is confident she is free to join the channel.

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