Jockeys and the Australian Racing Board are close to resolving their dispute over controversial whip rules, Victorian Racing Minister Rob Hulls says.
Jockeys walked off the job at race meetings in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia on Thursday after hearing their submission for changes to the whip rule hadbeen rejected by the board.
Under the rule brought in on August 1, riders are restricted in the number of times they can use the whip inside the final 200 metres.
Hulls has spoken with Australian Jockey Association's Des O'Keefe and was expected to contact the racing board yesterday.
He says he is confident the dispute will be resolved before Melbourne's Spring Racing Carnival.
"This matter will be resolved, there is no question or doubt about that. It's a matter of when it's resolved and my view is it ought be resolved as soon as possible," Hulls told ABC Radio.
"I understand the parties are very close to resolving the issue."
Hulls said there was a health and safety issued involved given jockeys need to be able to control the horses.
"I haven't ridden a 500 kilo animal running at 60km an hour, but all I would say is that it is absolutely crucial, like any industrial issue, it's absolutely crucial that the parties keep talking," he said.
