Following a review of Rule 44 the ‘Change of Tactics’ rule the Stewards have modified the obligations resting with trainers and/or drivers with respect to any intended change in the usual racing pattern of their horse.
It is recognised that, while best intentioned, some of the particularised changes in tactics such as leading; holding the lead; or trailing the leader are often not achieved (due to a number of circumstances) which has the potential to cause confusion.
Therefore, the required changes in tactics notifications have been modified to limit the reporting to that of what it is intended will occur in the early stages of the race.
The thrust of the changes being that connections no longer have to report any particular intention (such as leading or holding the lead) but the rather the requirements are now more general in nature, these being that connections now only have to advise one of the following;
That their horse will be;
- Further forward at the start;
- Further back at the start;
- Driven more aggressively after the start;
- Driven less aggressively after the start.
One additional modification to the requirements is that every intended change of tactics must be notified to the Stewards via the dedicated Change of Tactics phone number which is 0432342019
All changes of tactics must be advised one (1) hour prior to the advertised start time of Race 1 for that particular race meeting.
The notification must include the following information:
- The name of the Trainer/Driver making the call.
- The race-meeting
- The horse and race number
- The intended change in driving tactics
Once the changes of tactics have been received the Stewards will notify the public and industry participants in the following ways;
- Via the HRSA Stewards Twitter account: @HarnessRacingSA
- Announced by the on-course race-caller;
- Displayed on the Stewards Notice board located outside the Stewards Office and on the noticeboard located in the stables complex.
Trainers are reminded that all changes in tactics are to be advised where it is intended that the racing pattern of their horse(s) will be varied from its previous start.
Ross Neal
Chairman of Stewards
HARNESS RACING SOUTH AUSTRALIA