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

18 July 2025
TOC'S TAKEAWAYS: A pat on the back for Pat as Harry finds his forever home
Some of the bits and pieces that caught Tim O'Connor's eye in the world of harness racing... CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL COLUMN AT THETROTS.COM.AU
18 July 2025
LISTEN: Dan and Rob on The Saturday Night Harness Preview Show
Dan Mielicki and Rob Auber break down all the action ahead of Saturday night’s eight-race card at Melton.
18 July 2025
GOODFORM - TOC's tips and game plan for Saturday at Melton
Tim O'Connor has done the form for the Saturday night meeting at Melton Entertainment Park.
18 July 2025
LISTEN: ID chat and weekend previews on Friday Form Panel
Angus Garrard and Chris Svanosio joined Gareth for the first half of this week’s Friday Form Panel, with Angus previewing his key drive and Chris sharing how he maps out the Inter Dominion Grand Final. Tim O’Connor and Darren Carroll returned for the final hour to deliver a full preview of...
18 July 2025
Burning Questions: Snooze joins Chris and TOC for Inter Dom special
Chris Svanosio has Arcee Phoenix as favourite for Saturday night's Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final, and he joined Chris Barsby and Tim O'Connor on Burning Questions to talk about racing at Albion Park and Melton.
Click for more