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

25 March 2026
East hoping for a mighty Terang upset
Despite admitting her runners “will need more than a touch of luck”, astute horsewoman Rebecca East hasn't given up hope ahead of Friday night's Terang Pacing Cup. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AT THETROTS.COM.AU
25 March 2026
Linke's Yearling is Reil Quick!
Kadina hobby horseman and IT manager Tyson Linke is well-versed in harness racing royalty. He bred, owned and educated the inaugural $2 million TAB Eureka winner and dual Oaks and Breeders Crown champion Encipher. The SA BOTRA Pace winner Queen Of Sharkz, the Southern Cross and Lordship winner Hezrockinroyalty,...
25 March 2026
Campbell recognised for breeding excellence with Ian Daff Memorial Award
Well known Bendigo studmaster, breeder and official John Campbell was honoured by Harness Breeders Victoria for more than 50 years’ service to the breeding industry with the coveted Ian Daff Memorial Award. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY AT THETROTS.COM.AU
25 March 2026
Inter Dominion the target for in-form Tigerpie
The Michael Stanley-trained and reined Ubetcha Tigerpie is without doubt one of the most improved horses currently racing in New South Wales. He proved his potential by racing his way through to open grade in Victoria before Stanley moved his family to Sydney, relocating his training operations to Club...
25 March 2026
No Zahara, but Team Lee with great chances at Terang
Co-trainer Paddy Lee admits to mixed emotions about bypassing Friday night’s hometown Terang Trotters’ Cup with champion mare Keayang Zahara. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY
Click for more