Handicapper: Ratings tweak will ensure fairer penalty for horses winning low stakes
By Barry Lichter • 12 May 2020
Harness Racing New Zealand has approved changes to the handicapping system to reflect the proliferation of low stakes races for the rest of the season.
An additional level has been added to the race winners’ matrix for races up to and including $7500, so horses winning less money are not penalised as much.
Under the old matrix, the lowest stakes band was $6000 to $9500, but the new one sees one category for races worth up to $7500, and another for races worth between $7501 and $9500.
Under the revised system an R55 horse which wins a $7500 race will be re-rated six points whereas under the old scale it would have got seven points.
Horses rated between R53 and R59, who previously raced for $15,000 or $20,000 at Auckland, and got eight points, will now be penalised only six points if they win a $7500 race at Cambridge.
No change has been made to the one point reduction for R60 horses who finish further back than fifth.
While minor, handicapper Andrew Morris says the changes make the penalties more fair for the lower grade horses, who will be in the majority until the end of the season.
The changes, recommended by the handicapping working group, have been approved starting the resumption of racing at Addington on May 29 until the end of the season when it is hoped prizemoney will increase.
HRNZ has confirmed that no races will be programmed for a stake of less than $7000 to the end of July.
Under an agreement between the racing codes and the Racing Industry Transition Agency, all funding that has been allocated to clubs for the latter part of the season must be applied to stakes.
The board has approved a standardised stakes breakdown based on 12-horse race fields to be applied to each race.
Stakes will be paid back to fifth with first 55%, second 15.5%, third 8%, fourth 4.5% and fifth 3%. All other starters will receive 2%.
The issue of paying all starters will be reviewed at the end of this season.
The new matrix follows. None of the concessions listed below have changed.
Summarised concessions and notable conditions
● 3YO+ fillies & mares -1 point & to a maximum of R54 for first win ($20k or less).
● 3YO+ fillies & mares: 1 point concession for every win R50 or greater.
● 2YOs: Maximum rating R50 for first win $20,000 or less.
● 2YO colts & geldings: 4 points if first win over $20,000.
● 2YO fillies: 3 points if first win over $20,000.
● 2YO colts & geldings: 4 points for all subsequent wins.
● 2YO fillies: 3 points for all subsequent wins.
● 3YO concession: 4 points every second win up to $20,000.
● Unplaced: -1 for horses rated R60 & below.
● Unplaced R60-R80: May be re-rated after 3 unplaced starts, maximum -3 points.
● Unplaced R81-R99: May be re-rated after 2 unplaced starts, maximum -3 points.
● Unplaced R100+: May be re-rated, maximum -3 points.
Unplaced = 6th or worse.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
