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 February 2026
LISTEN: Gareth, Daz and TOC break down cracking Kilmore card
Host Gareth Hall was joined by form experts Darren Carroll and Tim O'Connor to preview the Kilmore Pacing Cup meeting on the Friday Form Panel. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
6 February 2026
Burning Questions: Kilmore Pacing Cup special!
Tayla French and her little boy Levi joined Andy Gath, Darren Carroll and Tim O’Connor for a special Kilmore Pacing Cup edition of Burning Questions! CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SHOW
6 February 2026
Leap To Fame closing in on Australasian Group 1 record
Champion pacer Leap To Fame can move to within one win of the Australasian Group 1 pacing record with victory in Saturday night’s $150,000 Kilmore Cup. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AT THETROTS.COM.AU
6 February 2026
Dalgety brings Kiwi star Republican Party to Summer of Glory
Champion New Zealand trainer Cran Dalgety knows the size of the task facing Republican Party as his stable star takes on Leap To Fame in Saturday night’s $150,000 Group 1 Kilmore Cup. Fresh from being crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year, Republican Party has drawn gate two and is likely to be...
6 February 2026
Rob Essex knows that 'Wyning' way!
Retired Brisbane industrial chemist Rob Essex has been to the top of the mountain in harness racing as the owner of the 2010 Australian Pacing Gold 3YO Final winner Maywyn Jasper. “He’s without a doubt the best one I’ve raced. He beat some very good horses in that race,” Rob said....
Click for more