He was fined $400 after last year's race with stewards sanctioning six riders - a quarter of the field - for breaching the whip edict. It included the jockeys of the first three horses across the line in Kerrin McEvoy (Cross Counter),Hugh Bowman (Marmelo) and Walker (A Prince Of Arran).

Walker also said this year's race held"special"significance for him because he flew his daughter Layla over from New Zealand to watch the Melbourne Cup on her birthday. The jockey is expecting his partner to give birth to his third child within the next month.

Walker was one of two jockeys suspended for using the whip more than allowed with Brett Prebble banned for six meetings for striking Steel Prince fives times more than allowed before the 100-metre mark. Anthony Freedman's stayer finished ninth.

Visiting jockey Jamie Spencer was also issued with a severe reprimand for using the whip on Raymond Tusk on successive strides,a contravention of Australian rules.

The use of the whip in Australia has been a vexing issue during a tumultuous spring carnival in which the industry's welfare efforts have been heavily scrutinised.

Six-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams has urged Australian racing regulators to outlaw the use of the whip and only allow jockeys to carry it for safety purposes. The position was rejected by a number of the industry's highest profile figures.

Walker and Prince Of Arran will be trying to go one better next year after filling placings in the last two years,the British stayer penalised 1kg for his Geelong Cup win which helped lift him into the field perhaps proving decisive as he finished behind Vow And Declare.

Walker will miss the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival and will ride Ocean Miss in the Victoria Oaks on Thursday.