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

27 October 2026
Gunna Reload gets ideal draw to defend Breeders Challenge crown
A FAVOURABLE draw has strengthened reigning champion Gunna Reload's title defence at Club Menangle on Saturday night. Successful in last season's Breeders' Challenge Final for three-year-old fillies, Gunna Reload issued a warning ahead of the Four-Year-Old Mares' Final with an emphatic...
27 October 2026
Yottie and Loucasso set for gripping Breeders Challenge showdown
THIS Saturday night's $150,000 Nutrien Equine NSW Breeders Challenge Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Final is wide open following the barrier draw. The qualifying semi-finals at Menangle last Saturday saw the two leading contenders bring their ‘A’ game to prove just why they are vying...
27 October 2026
Don Hunter poised to follow dam onto prestigious Group One honour roll
QUALITY freshman Don Hunter is expected to have no trouble joining his dam on one of New South Wales' most prestigious Group One honour rolls this weekend. By Huntsville, Don Hunter is from former top filly Miss Halfpenny which was retired with 10 wins and 13 placings from 34 starts for a bankroll...
26 October 2026
Loucasso's biggest test yet
RAGING hot TAB Eureka favourite Loucasso will face by far his biggest test yet at Menangle on Saturday night. The boom three-year-old, who has been stunning winning all four starts this campaign, will have to overcome a wide draw (gate 10) and some serious opposition in the $150,000 Group 1 NSW Breeders...
26 October 2026
Top young drivers set to shine in 2026 Rising Stars
Some of NSW’s most talented emerging drivers will take centre stage at Club Menangle this Saturday night when the 2026 HRNSW Rising Stars feature forms part of a blockbuster night of racing. The Rising Stars event has become a key highlight of this feature race night, providing some of the state’s...
Click for more