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

23 January 2026
Butt set for New Zealand return after 'best move I ever made'
One of harness racing’s greatest reinsmen is returning home to where it all began. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AT THETROTS.COM.AU
23 January 2026
LISTEN: Dan and Rob target Ballarat Pacing Cup night
Dan Mielicki and Rob Auber break down Saturday night’s Ballarat Pacing Cup meeting, all thanks to the Victorian Harness Racing Club. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
23 January 2026
Eddie loving the journey with 'very special' mate
Eddie Tappe spent almost 12 years taking people’s bets, now punters are lining up to punt on his star trotter Im Bobby. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AT THETROTS.COM.AU
23 January 2026
Dashman's harness look ahead - January 23
Look ahead to this weekend's harness racing action in our weekly preview, thanks to Darren Clayton. The latest bout of heavyweight pacers Leap To Fame and Kingman will take place on Saturday. The fourth instalment is set down for when the pair clash in the Ballarat Cup. A total of nine races will...
23 January 2026
Celebrations keep rolling as Joe takes Elmore feature
Prominent trainer Joe Pace received a belated birthday present on Wednesday night. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AT THETROTS.COM.AU
Click for more