(Rod Gallegos is a leading commentator with Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio.)

A hot topic on radio in the past week has been the use of whips in racing and a rather frightening consequence of that controversial rule.

In the Melbourne Cup, jockey Michael Rodd on the runner-up Red Cadeaux, was fined for excessive whip use before the 100-metre mark.

A listener to Sky Sports Radio pondered that if Red Cadeaux had won, would the rider of Dunaden been entitled to protest? After all, a rule of racing has been breached.

The answer is yes, but whether the objection would be upheld is problematical.

If a protest on the basis of excessive use of the whip was dismissed, the conclusion is that the extra stokes of the padded whip had no effect. That being so, why should a fine be imposed on a jockey?

By the same token upholding the protest would be a controversy of explosive proportions.

Food for thought?

*****

ANOTHER Spring Carnival fades into the distance to the trumpeted fanfare of another triumph for the "foreign legion" and there is only a forlorn hope that the Australian flag will fly at full-mast in the immediate future.

Racing Victoria handicapper, Greg Carpenter, this week on Sky Sports Radio deflected any criticism that overseas horses were advantaged by the balloting conditions for the Melbourne Cup.

As he pointed out the winners of our iconic staying events - Stand To Gain (Sydney Cup), The Verminator (AJC Metropolitan) and Tullamore (Brisbane Cup) - all carried the minimum weight hence they were disadvantaged in the Melbourne Cup even with a two kilogram rise to their handicap.

According to Carpenter the answer may be that more Australian races should be ballot-free for the winners. Previously the Moonee Valley Cup and Geelong Cup had been suggested as qualifying races for the Melbourne Cup but the VRC had resisted the change.

The list of races to endorse the winner with automatic entry to the Melbourne Cup are: Lexus Stakes, Victoria Derby, Mackinnon Stakes, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup, Doncaster Cup (UK), Irish St Leger (Ire), Tenno sho (Japan), Sankei Sho All Comers (Japan), Arlington Millions (US), San Juan Capistrano (US) and Australian Stayers Challenge.

The Stayers Challenge is an interesting, and praiseworthy, concept with points allotted to the winners and placegetters in 34 group races over distances ranging from 2400 metres to 3200 metres and the horse with the most points secures a Melbourne Cup start.

Unless there are some concessions for the locals, the Europeans will further enhance their current dominance and remain on top of staying races ‘Down Under'.

***** 

ON Saturday, the Zipping Classic has been diminished to only five final acceptors including three foreigners.

It may well turn into an absorbing battle of tactics though, with Americain, an unlucky fourth in the Melbourne Cup, currently an odds-on favourite.

Call me pig-headed if you like, but I am sticking with my Melbourne Cup bet, Manighar. His Cup run, wearing blinkers for the first time, was full of merit and he represents good value.

***** 

APART from the seemingly unbeatable Black Caviar, it hasn't been a particularly flash Melbourne carnival for premier trainer Peter Moody.

However, he may snatch some late glory in the Sandown Guineas with the aptly named Highly Recommended.

This colt has been racing consistently without being able to win and he only missed narrowly behind Galah in the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington a fortnight ago. He may reverse the result on Saturday.