The RSPCA paid a surprise visit to the Takeover Target Stakes Day at Gosford yesterday after receiving a complaint about treatment of throughbreds there.

Three RSPCA officers arrived before the first race yesterday morning and examined all horses taking part in the 10 races.

Pictures were taken of the horses and each one was examined after racing, paying particular attention to any welt marks from use of the whip.  

One trainer said the jockeys used padded whips so there should be no problems, and one unnamed jockey said heat sensoring equipment was being used to determine if there were any injuries.

Racing NSW's chief executive remained unconcerned by the visit, saying there is an extremist at Gosford who writes them two or three letters of complaint each week.

He reiterated that the padded whips did not hurt the horses, according to experts.