The following Amendments have been made to the Australian Rules of Racing, effective 15 June and 1 August 2012 :

AMENDMENT to AR.137A to remove ambiguity

Delete existing rule and replace with the following:

“(5) Subject to the other requirements of this rule:

(a) In a race, official trial or jump-out prior to the 100 metre mark;

(i) The whip shall not be used in a forehand manner in consecutive strides.
(ii) The whip shall not be used in a forehand manner more than on 5 occasions.
(iii) The rider may at his discretion use the whip with a slapping motion down the shoulder, with the whip hand remaining on the reins, or alternatively in a backhand manner.

(b) In the final 100 metres of a race, official trial or jump-out a rider may use his whip at his discretion.”

Date of effect: 15th June, 2012

MULTIPLE ACCEPTANCES

Amend AR.114 by deleting the existing rule and replacing it with the following:

AR.114.
(1) (a) Subject to subrule (2) of this rule notice of withdrawal of a horse from any race shall be given to the Secretary of the Club or other official authorised to receive the same at least forty‑five minutes before the time appointed to start such race, or such earlier time as the Local Rules may provide.

(b) Such notice shall be given in writing by the nominator or trainer or by the authorised agent of either of them.

(c) If no such notice be given the Stewards may nevertheless permit or order the withdrawal of the horse and may penalise the nominator or the trainer or both.

(2) (a) Where a horse has been accepted for races to be run on the same day in different states or territories the nominator or trainer of the horse, unless he has the express permission of the Stewards, must by 9.00am on the day prior to the day of the race give to an official authorised to receive same, notice of the withdrawal of the horse from the race for which the horse has accepted but will not start.

(b) If no such notice is given the stewards may nevertheless permit or order the withdrawal of the horse and may penalise the nominator or the trainer or both.

(c) For the purposes of paragraph (a) nominator or trainer includes an authorised agent of either of them.

Date of effect: 15th June, 2012

YEARLINGS TAKING PART IN OFFICIAL TRIALS

Amend AR.44 by deleting the existing provision and replacing it with the following:

“Yearlings shall not run in any race or official trial”

Date of effect: 15th June, 2012

CAP ON NUMBER OF NATIONAL PERSONS IN OWNERSHIP OF A RACEHORSE

Amend AR.69(a):

Delete the word “10” and replace with the word “20”.

Date of Effect: 1st August, 2012