By notice to the Harness Racing Industry on 27 March 2019, 24 April 2019 and 5 February 2020, Trainers were reminded that unless a horse has been trained by a licensed trainer for a period of not less than 28 days immediately prior to nomination for a race (including an official trial) the horse shall be considered ineligible.
Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 119B states the following:
AHRR 119B. Unless the Stewards otherwise approve, a horse shall not be eligible to be nominated for a race unless the horse has been trained by a licensed trainer for not less than 28 days immediately prior to the date fixed for nomination.
Trainers are reminded of their obligation to lodge a stable return within 48 hours of any horse entering or leaving their stable.
NSWLR25 (1) The trainer of a horse must within 48 hours of its entering or leaving his stable lodge a stable return containing such information as is required by the Controlling Body; provided that if such horse has been or is to be nominated for a race such stable return must be lodged immediately.
(2) The Stewards may penalise any person who fails to lodge such stable return and/or amendments thereto including gear changes, movement of horses and other information as require and entry of such horse for any race may be rejected or cancelled.
(3) All stable returns so lodged are subject to the approval of the Controlling Body who may at any time require the trainer to satisfy them that all of the information so contained is true and correct.
Trainers are further reminded that HRNSW Stewards will permit a horse to be nominated for an official trial following 14 clear days from the date upon which the horse entered a trainer’s stable as evidenced by a Stable Return.
Failure to lodge a stable return for a horse within the prescribed timeframe or at least 28 days prior to a horse being nominated to race, will result in the horse being deemed ineligible.
Trainers are further reminded that the lodgement of a Stable Return must also be completed for horses that are not yet named.
For all imported horses, the date upon its arrival to NSW would be considered Day 1 when not in the care of a Trainer as evidenced by an approved Stable Return. In the event that a Trainer is unable to lodge a Stable Return due to the clearance process, Trainers are to provide HRNSW Stewards written notice of the horse entering their stable.
For further clarity, a horse that has not been in the care of a Trainer as evidenced by an approved Stable Return for a period of time (less than 28 days) will be considered ineligible for that period of time.
For example;
Trainer A – Removed from stable on 1 January 2020
10 Days Break
Trainer B – Entered stable (by way of Stable Return) on 12 January 2020
Horse will not be eligible for 10 days following 12 January 2020.
For further information on this matter contact:
HRNSW Integrity Department
(02) 9722 6655
