Racing WA has announced that it would be introducing a ranking system to determine the fields for its premier harness racing events in 2024.
The first feature race subject to the ranking system is the Group 1 $300,000 Retravision Fremantle Cup on 26 April at Gloucester Park.
The rankings and final field are determined by the Field Selection Panel (FSP), comprising:
Michael McDermott (Harness Racing Handicapper);
Nathan Scott (Harness Racing Operations Manager);
David Lamond (Harness Racing Handicapper); and
Warren Wishart (Harness Racing Programming Advisor & Betting Supervisor).
The Field Selection Panel have determined that four set of rankings will be released being:
- Friday 8th March;
- Friday 22nd March;
- Monday 8th April; and
- Monday 15th April.
The final field will be released on Monday 22 April. Trainers should note that the ranking system does not circumvent the regular nomination process, with horses still being required to nominate for the race.
The FSP will be ranking the top 20 horses that have a Western Australian stable return as at 1 March 2024. Interstate or international runners will be included in the rankings provided that they have advised Racing WA of their intention to nominate for the Retravision Fremantle Cup.
As part of the lead up to the Retravision Fremantle Cup, four Golden Ticket races have been decided, being:
- Group 3 $50,000 Pinjarra Cup - 4 March
- Group 3 $50,000 Bunbury Cup - 30 March
- $50,000 Governor’s Cup - 5 April; and
- $1.25M Nullarbor - 19 March.
These races serve as automatic qualifiers with the winners guaranteed a start in the Retravision Fremantle Cup (subject to nomination).
The balance of the rankings and the field for the race will be therefore selected by the following criteria in order of weighting:
- Performances in Open Group 1 Races in Australia and New Zealand from 1 October 2023 onwards;
- Performances in Open Group 2 Races in Australia and New Zealand from 1 October 2023 onwards;
- Performances in Open Group 3 Races and in Golden Ticket Races in Australia and New Zealand from 1 October 2023 onwards;
- Performances in Open Free for All Races from 1 October 2023 onwards with weighting to recent performances; and
- Lifetime performance and form.
For further information, or if you have any queries, contact the FSP by email to harness.information@rwwa.com.au
