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

10 September 2026
GOODFORM - Craig's look at Mildura Friday
Race 1: OVERVIEW: SHES POPPY (3) began quickly to find the lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and sprinted home too well to win with something in reserve last week. This race is slightly tougher but she is likely to use her gate speed to find a prominent position again and should prove hard to beat....
10 September 2026
The Superjesus and Chocolate Starfish to rock Newcastle Carnival of Cups
Newcastle is set for a huge night of live music and elite pacing when the Harness Racing NSW Carnival of Cups rolls into the Steel City on Friday, January 8. Australian rock favourites The Superjesus and Chocolate Starfish will co-headline a packed entertainment line-up as the Carnival of Cups brings...
10 September 2026
Sallis' star buy hits the ground running
Ron Sallis was so happy with his purchase of Llanfair Llewellan from Kelvin Winnell in New South Wales, that he was quick to express his interest in the next available horse. That was how he acquired Fifty Three Stars for his Wanora operation and the six-year-old has had instant success. The Huntsville...
10 September 2026
Gloucester Park Preview Friday 11th September 2026
Spotlight On Newcomer The first appearance in Western Australia of We Walk By Faith will create considerable interest when he begins from the back mark of 50 metres in the Bridge Bar Handicap over 2503m at Gloucester Park on Friday night. The Victorian-bred five-year-old boasts an impressive record and...
Click for more