Monte racing at Tabcorp Park Melton.
In an endeavour to encourage further participation in Monte racing, Harness Racing Victoria will trial a number of Mobile Start Monte races for lower assessed horses based on a restriction by assessment.
The races will be for trotters assessed T0 to T4 from the Mobile Start, to be run over the sprint distance for stakemoney of $6000.
It is anticipated that allowing horses to gain experience in these lower assessed Monte races will provide a pathway for further participation in open class Monte racing.
Prospective Monte participants should also be mindful of the Monte stakemoney distribution which provides a wider spread of money across all starters: 1st - 50%, 2nd - 18%, 3rd - 12%, 4th - 7%, 5th - 4%, 6th to last - 3%.
The first full stake restricted assessment races are programmed for Kilmore on Tuesday 23 December, followed by Geelong on Sunday 25 January.
As an introduction, a $3000 graduation penalty TR0 to TR4 Monte race is programmed for Kilmore on Sunday 30 November, with the normal graduation penalty stakemoney distribution applicable.
Industry participants are advised that an amendment to the Australian Handicapping Rules to be implemented on 1 December will mean that a horse winning a Monte race will not incur a career penalty in the traditional racing in sulky format. This amendment will not be applied retrospectively.
As a result of this announcement, anyone considering a foray into Monte racing now has added incentive to introduce their trotter to Monte racing or purchase a likely Monte prospect to add to their stable.
