Whip abuse – if not pacemakers – will be under the microscope for today's BMW at Rosehill Gardens, a race featuring the Japanese ace To The World.

To The World brings international group 1 prominence to what has always been a major Australian weight-for-age staying contest.

Certainly a stern tempo would be to his advantage – Japanese stayers go all day –  as it would for Protectionist, the outstanding Melbourne Cup winner that has been in the doldrums at his last two Melbourne attempts over shorter journeys. Fast Dragon promises to do the job as he did in the Ranvet at Rosehill last Saturday, making the upfront speed a cracker before wilting to finish last. Other notable leaders on the program were Pounamu ($151) who made the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) more of a staying test which played against favourite Hallowed Crown and suited the quinella – Volkstok'n'barrell and Preferment – who are best suited over 2400 metres.

Diametric, too, went hard in front in the Manion Cup (2400 metres) before dropping out badly in the grind taken by stablemate Permit. While tempo looks assured in the BMW, maybe Hampton Court will also figure in this role considering his recent drab efforts back in the field.

Anyway I'm with Hartnell, a promising type still on the rise under John O'Shea. He's the horse I know is proven under Australian conditions, against one I don't who hasn't raced since last December.

Whatever tactics are adopted, James McDonald on Hartnell will be comfortable. Yes, To The World is the best thing to come out of Japan since the Toyota and yesterday traded on Betfair down to $2.38, not my price on what is a strong field. No doubt shillelaghs will be out, a point of contention following the expose on the ABC's Catalyst last Tuesday divulging horses feel pain more than humans, which is surprising because they don't back us.

Some points on Catalyst were received on News Radio's Hoof On The Till from John Schreck, Australia's foremost law enforcer.

Schreck is confident the whip rules will be modified even more, particularly the controversial back-handed application which many argue isn't as severe as the normal over the shoulder.

He was aghast at the recent breach by Michael Walker on Spillway, the Australian Cup winner by a nose. The jockey pleaded guilty to using the whip in a "back-handed manner" 24 times inside the last 200 metres. Walker was fined $1500, emphasising Sydney stewards are much tougher than their Melbourne counterparts. Since the modified use was introduced in 2009 about 160 jockeys have been suspended.

Of course the rich prize in group 1s influence a throw-caution-to-the-wind attitude in the saddle  but Ray Murrihy, the Racing NSW chief steward, will have none of it.

"Jockeys have been warned than any breach of whip rule or careless riding can lead to a suspension where the nine-day delay will be waived," he decreed.

Thus if a jockey is found guilty on Saturday he can be ruled out of rich Championship races.

Murrihy, though, scoffs at suggestions on Catalyst that whipping over the latter stages of the race doesn't affect the result so it shouldn't be wielded.

"Look at Tom Berry on Vancouver in the Golden Slipper," he said. Berry rode within the rules, and the colt answered the call when given a reminder of his obligations.

Berry, handling Winx, should indulge in a tactical battle in the other group 1, The Vinery, with among others, James McDonald (First Seal) and Damian Oliver (Adrift) due to the anticipated lack of tempo.

First Seal, with a NSW handicapper rating of 107, is the hot favourite and suited by the set weight conditions considering two contenders Winx (96) and Adrift (90). But Winks can improve on her recent Phar Lap success while Adrift, tortured by recent faulty navigation and from the one gate with champion Damian Oliver up, is a prime chance.

Perhaps the Australian Turf Club is pushing $5 booze as the major Rosehill drawcard but go and get intoxicated on great racing, particularly the BMW, and jockeys who compare favourably with the best.