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

6 November 2026
Leap To Fame v Captains Mistress rematch very likely
THERE is an 80 percent chance of a much-awaited rematch between Leap To Fame and Captains Mistress in next Friday’s Group 1 NZ free-for-all. While all the focus is rightly around Tuesday’s iconic NZ Cup, the free-for-all could snatch the “race of the week” tag if the two best...
6 November 2026
Late Dan Costello commemorated at Redcliffe
Dan Costello was a regular face at the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club for years, and it is only fitting that the late photographer will now be commemorated at the venue he loved to call home. The club recently renamed their photography room the “Dan Costello Room” in recognition of the vital...
6 November 2026
Fate Awaits takes Western Jewel slot for TAB Eureka
HALF the field for the world’s richest harness race is locked in with confirmation star Queenslander Fate Awaits will return for his second tilt at the $1.5 million TAB Eureka at Menangle on November 21. Just as he did last year, Wayne Loader has used his “Western Jewel” slot to do...
5 November 2026
GOODFORM - Craig's Mildura tips for Friday afternoon
Race 1: OVERVIEW: CHALKNCHEDDAR (5) settled three back on the markers and tried hard for third behind Talknplay at Swan Hill last outing. He appears to be very well placed against this field and is versatile enough to overcome the wide draw. STONEBRIDGE STAR (2) finished off fairly well for third behind...
Click for more