JOCKEYS' whip use has flared again with stewards taking exception to the way it is wielded in a backhanded style.

Three senior jockeys, including leading riders Craig Newitt and Chris Symons, incurred the ire of stewards at Caulfield on Boxing Day for use of the whip.

But stewards' concern was outside the controversial whip rules adopted more than 16 months ago and collectively has cost jockeys more than $80,000 in fines.

While restrictions were placed on the number of times a jockey could use the whip in a forehand fashion when the new rules were enforced, no limitations were used in how often a jockey could use the whip in a backhand manner.

Racing Victoria Limited chairman of stewards Terry Bailey said Symons and Dean Holland were advised the repetitive use of the whip in a backhand manner in the Sportingbet Plate, a race for two-year-olds, caused them concern.

Bailey said the backhand use of whip by Holland, Newitt and Symons created a perception and image issue that stewards wanted to immediately address.

"Backhanding two-year-olds 25 times down the straight from a perception point of view is not that good," Bailey said.

"It raised its head with us because they were two-year-olds doing their best and to hit them in a backhand manner 25 times down the straight was over the top.

"We said 'we're not going to hit you with a sledge hammer and fine you $500', but it is something you need to address.

"It's something we want to manage in Victoria with the VJA (Victorian Jockeys Association). It just worries me that in some respects we have encouraged jockeys to use backhand rather than forehand to avoid being penalised.

"But when it comes down to using it (the whip) 25 to 40 times in the straight ... there is one rule that hasn't disappeared and that's - excessive use of the whip."

Queensland Jockeys Association president Jason Taylor said the backhand issue had not been raised by Brisbane stewards.

"It's a bit surprising they've (Melbourne stewards) spoken to riders, we've heard nothing about it here," Taylor said. "It is very doubtful that they would change the rules again, we would reject further changes, 100 percent.

"These rules are to the extreme, that's why when they first came in we were given time to adapt. I think the amount of penalties have dropped considerably, riders have adapted, making changes now would just lead to confusion."

Taylor has also adapted his style to be able to freely use the whip in backhand style. He said it is not as punishing as using the whip in a forehand manner, but horses do respond.

Under new whip rules, which were brought in last year, a jockey can hit his mount five times in the forehand manner before the 100m and unlimited times after that point. There was no limit placed on backhand use.

Bailey said both Symons and Holland "copped on the chin" the rebuke and he added Symons adjusted his style virtually immediately.

He said stewards intended to adopt a "gently, gently" policy with the jockeys.

VJA CEO Des O'Keeffe said he welcomed "discussion and explanation" from the stewards so that all members could be "on the same page".

O'Keeffe said he could see how the stewards had concerns from a perception perspective.

"We've worked on a basis that less is best with the whip," O'Keeffe said.

"What we don't want to do is go done the same path of enforcement of the rules over the past 16 months."

Asked if there was any pressure applied from Racing Victoria Limited management/board or animal activist groups to stewards about the whip use, Bailey replied: "Not at all"

Bailey said it was just his take on the situation that occurred at Caulfield on Boxing Day.

"The rule regarding excessive use of the whip still exists. Backhanding a horse 25 to 40 times down the straight on two-year-olds is not a good look," he said.

Pressed on whether the situation would be simplified if there was solely an excessive whip rule in place not the confusing set of rules that currently apply, Bailey said racing had "gone past that point".

"Clearly excessive use of the whip wasn't policed properly," said Bailey, who described excessive use as "double digit" strokes in a backhand manner.