INDUSTRY NOTICE - DELAY TO THE START OF RACES
As of 1 May 2016, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards will have an increased focus in relation to the following requirements in order to maximise exposure of the Victorian Harness Racing product on Sky Racing 1. This coverage assists in achieving optimum financial return to the industry as a whole, which includes industry participants, and accordingly it is critical to ensure that where possible races commence in accordance with the Sky Racing schedule.
Therefore, Stewards seek the co-operation and compliance of trainers and drivers to ensure that races are not unnecessary delayed, which will be greatly assisted by adhering to the following requirements:
- Horses are to be presented into the parade ring no less than twelve (12) minutes prior to the scheduled starting time of a race;
- Horses are to be presented onto the track no less than seven (7) minutes prior to the scheduled starting time of a race;
- Drivers must adhere to the five (5) minute whistle to desist with the pre-race warm up and proceed to the starting point;
- Drivers must ensure all necessary gear adjustments are completed before the two (2) minute amber light is activated by the starter;
- Drivers must ensure that the horse driven by them is only held by the Clerk of the Course or other authorised official whilst a gear adjustment is being conducted;
- Drivers must ensure that horses circle at the starting point in an anti-clockwise direction and be in numerical order in two separate circles for the front and second rows;
- Drivers must continue once the score up has commenced should a hopple shortener pin or ear plug prematurely release.
The following minimum penalty guidelines will apply in the instance of non-compliance:
1st Offence: Caution
2nd Offence: $100 Fine
3rd Offence: $200 Fine
4th Offence: Stewards discretion
28 day reset period will apply
HRV Stewards reserve the right to increase the penalties from the above minimum penalty guidelines when the start of a race is delayed due to the actions of either a trainer and/or driver.
RELEVANT HRV STEWARDS POLICIES:
GEAR ADJUSTMENTS
Drivers making gear adjustments prior to the start of a race are reminded to ensure that these occur before the amber light is activated by the starter. HRV Policy in relation to AHRR 162(1)(a) states: The Starter will activate an amber flashing light two minutes prior to the scheduled or re-scheduled starting time of a race and after the activation of the light, a driver must not dismount without permission.
GEAR MALFUNCTION DURING SCORE UP
If a hopple shortener pin or ear plug prematurely releases and the score up has commenced the driver shall not alert the Starter of a gear malfunction and must continue in the score up. This is irrespective of whether the horse is maintaining its correct gait or galloping – the score up shall continue regardless. Drivers should note that if they attempt to delay the start of a race due to a hopple shortener pin or ear plug prematurely releasing, or turn their horse away from the start after the score up commencing, penalties may apply.
PARTICIPATION OF HORSES CIRCLING AT THE START POINT
It is a requirement for horses to circle in an anti-clockwise direction and be in numerical order at the start point in two separate circles for the front and second rows. Horses are only to be held by the Clerk of the Course, track attendants or stand on the outside fence without participating in the pre-race circle formation when gear adjustments are being performed. Should a horse not participate in this process, action may be taken to place such horse on its last chance or outside the barrier draw in future race starts.
