MEDIA RELEASE : 16 February 2006

NSWROA offers solutions to racing’s difficulties

Thursday, February 16, 2006: The NSWROA has recently given consideration to a range of issues that are currently affecting racing in the state, to produce a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at getting the industry back on track. NSWROA President Max Whitby said today that issues like field sizes, weights, programming, barrier trials and even the T.V. War cannot be considered in isolation.

“All are linked’, he said, “and demand a fresh approach from all sectors of the industry. Jockeys and trainers calling for an increase in minimum weights have to be answered in the context of the purpose of handicapping and the need to increase the numbers of horses going round”.

“These are all vital subjects for owners”, he added, ”affecting the returns they receive, the retention of owners and the encouragement of new ones. Unless there are some innovative solutions, the NSWROA is worried that ownership will decline, which is bad news for everyone in the industry, as well as for punters as racing becomes less competitive”

The Association has thus drawn up a series of recommendations covering field sizes, barrier trials, weights and handicapping and the televising of racing and these are released today with the objective of stimulating debate.

Whitby emphasised that they are put forward to stimulate discussion and be a catalyst for change. “These recommendations are not necessarily the answers”, he said, “but if they get people thinking they will have served an important purpose”.

“Something has to be done”, he said, “we realise that the T.V. situation involves powerful commercial interests that it is hard to influence, but people with the best interests of racing at heart have to get together and reach an agreement before any more time and money is wasted”

The NSWROA recommendations are as follows:

Field Sizes and Barrier Trials

  • That a system of accurate stable returns be introduced giving the names of all horses that are currently in the stable, their ages; class (or current rating); preferred distance range and state of preparation (eg: ready to race; ready to race in xx weeks).
  • That all two-year olds have to trial satisfactorily before the stewards prior to making a race course debut; thereafter trials to be restricted to a maximum of one per preparation, unless otherwise ordered by the stewards. (Exhibition gallops on race-days also to be excluded).
  • That barrier trials be run over a distance of up to 1,200 metres.

Weights and handicapping

  • That a review of the weights in handicaps in Australian racing be undertaken, within a notional range of 53 kg. to 66 kg, with a view to increasing the available top weight in flat races up to 66 kg.
  • That the class system (1 – 6) be replaced by a ratings system, on the basis that each ratings point is equivalent to 0.5 kg.
  • That handicap races be run for horses in different ratings bands, with the traditional handicap races (to be determined, but to include such as the Doncaster, Villiers, Melbourne Cup, etc) protected for entry by any horse that otherwise meets the race conditions, subject to other qualifying clauses, with balloting to achieve the final fields.
  • That ‘True Handicaps’ be published for all handicap races, for horses that are on the minimum weight. This to take effect immediately.

T.V. Wars

  • That all parties be encouraged to enter mediation to solve the current dispute over race broadcasting on television, with a view to achieving at least one channel carrying a full racing service.

A copy of the discussion paper on weights and handicapping is attached together with a summary of considerations relating to the other issues covered. Both may also be viewed on the NSWROA website.

Discussion Paper on Weights and Handicapping
Policies to Meet the Challenges of Racing in 2006 – Summary Paper

 

Contact: Rob Albon
Tel: 0404 881 857

 

 

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