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

25 May 2026
TOC'S TAKEAWAYS: Abby reaches the ton as Bendigo prepares for major works
Some of the bits and pieces that caught Tim O’Connor’s eye in the world of harness racing… CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL COLUMN
25 May 2026
Birthday Cup win for Woods
Heath Woods had plenty of reasons to celebrate when Stepping Stones ($5) claimed the Sheffield Cup (2698m) in Launceston on Sunday night. Woods, who was celebrating his birthday, got the eight-year-old daughter of Stonebridge Regal away well from her 20m handicap, and quickly was positioned in the one-out...
25 May 2026
Harness Racing Victoria releases Venue Network White Paper
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has released its Venue Network White Paper, a long-term framework designed to strengthen the sustainability, relevance and future viability of harness racing in Victoria. The White Paper, which was presented to Trots Clubs Victoria (TCV) and club representatives earlier...
25 May 2026
Gloucester Park Review Gloucester Park Friday 22nd May 2026
Howlett Celebrates First Metro Win “This is my first metro win, and it’s very exciting,” exclaimed Busselton trainer Katie Howlett after Chris Voak had driven the inexperienced five-year-old Brought To Light to an easy victory in the Westral Meshlock Security Doors And Screens Pace...
25 May 2026
LISTEN: Dan and Rob team up for The Shepparton Showcase
Dan Mielicki and Rob Auber chat through the nine races at Shepparton on May 26. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Click for more