Metro field sizes will increase in Victoria from July 5
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has announced key details pertaining to its racing product at Tabcorp Park, whilst unveiling changes to its sectional times policy in regional Victoria.
Under a revamped policy, maximum field sizes at Victoria’s two metropolitan tracks, Tabcorp Park and Moonee Valley, will be increased when the former commences racing on July 5, 2009.
The field limit will increase from 11 to 12 starters for mobile start races and from 12 to 14 starters for standing start races.
The variances to the rule are two-year-old races which will boast a field limit of 11 for both mobiles and stands, and mile (1609m) races at Moonee Valley where the field will be capped at 11 runners.
An emergency will be named for all races at both tracks in addition to the aforementioned limits.
“The increase in our metropolitan field limits is an initiative aimed at maximising turnover and ensuring that the product we deliver to the public is exciting and action-packed,” HRV Chief Executive, John Anderson, said.
“Analysis shows us that turnover increases on average by 5.2 percent per race when the field size is increased from 11 to 12 or more runners.
“In a challenging wagering climate it is important that we maximise these earning opportunities to protect our returns to the industry via prizemoney and investment in capital infrastructure.
“Our new track at Tabcorp Park has been constructed with the objective of delivering fast, fair and competitive racing where horses can win from any position and we’re very confident that it will deliver just that.
“Racing will be exciting at Tabcorp Park and this increase in field limits will serve to assist this by encouraging more moves and a quicker tempo in races at our showcase venue.”
HRV also officially announced that the race distances on the state-of-the-art 1040-metre Tabcorp Park circuit will be 1720 metres, 2240 metres, 2760 metres and 3280 metres.
The vast majority of mobile start races will be conducted over 1720 metres and 2240 metres at Tabcorp Park, with the longer journeys predominantly used for standing start events.
Grand Circuit events such as the SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup and Australian Trotting Grand Prix will be conducted at Tabcorp Park next season over 2240 metres, whilst premier sprints such as The Legends and Bill Collins Trotters Sprint will now be run over 1720 metres.
In other news, HRV has announced that it will relax its sectional times policy in races for maiden pacers (C0) on its six regional tracks that boast a circumference of less than 900-metres.
From July 1, 2009, the leader in C0 races at Ararat, Echuca, Mildura, Nyah, Stawell and Warragul will be required to cover the first half of the last mile in 65 seconds or faster.
The current 64 second limit will remain in place for all C1 or faster events at these tracks.
