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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Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
