15TH April 2020
Review of numbers of runners in a race.
HRSA has completed a review regarding the amount of runners in any one race. The reason behind the review was that during the COVID19 pandemic HRSA decided to reduce the on course footprint at race meetings, by introducing certain restrictions, one of which was a reduction in the number of runners in a race. During the past 10 weeks it is no coincidence that with field sizes restricted to no more than 9 runners, there has been a reduction in race incidents and in particular into the first turn.
A cross section of industry participants along with BOTRA and the Trainers and Drivers Associations were asked to provide their views on field sizes, and all agreed that a reduction in the number of runners would be beneficial, certainly from a safety point of view. However many highlighted their concerns if horses were balloted regularly, due to the reductions. With all matters taken into consideration HRSA decided that the ideal number of runners in any one race at our various race tracks, in mobile start events, would be as per the table below.
| TRACK |
3YO & ABOVE |
2YO |
RACES UNDER 1609M |
FRONT LINE NO |
| GLOBE DERBY PARK |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
| PORT PIRIE |
9 |
9 |
8 |
6 |
| GAWLER |
9 |
9 |
8 |
6 |
| VICTOR HARBOR |
9 |
9 |
8 |
6 |
| KAPUNDA |
9 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
| STRATHALBYN |
9 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
| MOUNT GAMBIER |
9 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
| ALL OFFICIAL TRIALS |
8 |
6 |
NA |
6 |
The race field sizes nominated in the above table will be adhered to at all race meetings, however the Chairman of Stewards would have discretion to increase or decrease field sizes where necessary. At this stage there is no intention to alter the current standing start field sizes; however it is the intention of HRSA to review these changes at the end of the 2020 calendar year, to ensure the changes made have achieved the outcomes that are anticipated and there has been no adverse impact on wagering.
Kind Regards
Simon Ewen
HRSA Chairman of Stewards
