Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Field Selection, Handicapping & Programming during Covid-19 Regionalisation

21 April 2020
Logo

Effective fields selected from Monday 27th April 2020

During Regionalisation it is important to ensure horses are gaining starts as often as possible. The below changes are designed to simplify our Field Selection, Handicapping and Programming.

Put simply a maximum eight (8) races will be programmed guaranteeing maximum field sizes at time of releasing fields. Also this will ensure horses are getting runs in relation to the days since their previous start irrespective of their National Rating (NR) or Dollars won in their last 5 starts ($L5).

These changes will apply to all meetings excluding Menangle Metropolitan Meetings and Heats of the Tabcorp Regional Championships. For clarity the Menangle Tuesday Meetings field selection will be included in the Protocol.

Field Selection

  • Preference will be given to horses with the most days since their previous start. (horse that hasn’t started for 14 days gets a start before a horse that started 10 days ago) Where horses are equal on amount of days since the last start, highest dollars won in their last five starts will apply, if still equal horse with the highest National Rating will apply to differentiate.
  • Standard unfulfilled engagement/late nomination principles apply.

Field Splitting

  • Maiden races will be split into fields of ten based on $L5 from highest to lowest
  • Up to NR55 will be split into fields of ten based on $L5 from highest to lowest
  • Races above NR55 will be split into fields of ten on National Ratings from the top down. Given the large gap above 55, horses in this grade would be better suited to racing their own grade were possible. This will allow for more like for like racing.

Race Selection

  • As all meetings will have a maximum 6 races programmed the races which will be split will be based on the two races programmed with highest number of nominations.

Race Programming all Regions

  • 2yo when scheduled as per established 2yo calendar with a minimum of 1 per week in a Region
  • 3yo up to 1 this season win with 1 per week in a Region
  • Maiden for horses with 0 Lifetime wins all to be 3yo and older
  • Up to NR55 3yo Concessions will apply however no Drivers Concession or Mares Concession will apply
  • Up to NR 120 for A meetings 1 per region per week. Except Metro A meetings would be up to NR90. Dual Concession claims to apply
  • Up to NR 90 for B Meetings. Except Metro B meetings would be up to 75. Dual concessions will apply.    

Shaun Snudden

Manager - Industry Development

 

Related News

4 October 2026
GOODFORM - Drivers Invitational Day at Horsham
Race 1: OVERVIEW: FORTY LOVE (5) was heavily supported and ran a great race after working forward to find the lead in the early stages when a narrow second behind Fighter Command at Melton last week. He had no luck when sixth in the Super Series Final prior and he should prove very hard to beat under...
4 October 2026
Loucasso to skip Victoria Derby and focus on TAB Eureka
AUSTRALIA’S boom three-year-old Loucasso will bypass the Victoria Derby to focus on the world’s richest pacing race, the $1.5 million TAB Eureka. It is a major shake-up to the Derby, which starts with heats at Melton next Saturday night, as Loucasso was $2 favorite to win the final. Part-owner...
4 October 2026
Delosa creates history at Globe Derby
RISING NSW star Ashleigh Delosa grabbed a piece of history with her win in last night’s Australian Drivers’ Championship at Globe Derby. Delosa, 28, became the first female to beat the boys since the series was first run in 2014. "It's crazy to think. It hasn't really sunk in...
4 October 2026
Trista's fitting moment headlines huge Saturday night.
TRISTA Dixon’s first winning drive on Leap To Fame headlined a night of star power across Australia last night. Having his 94th start, Leap To Fame posted his 74th win in easy fashion as he prepares for another tilt at the iconic NZ Cup on November 10. He ran second in the race to Kingman last...
Click for more