The advertised procedures and policies have been endorsed by the Victorian Harness Racing Trainers and Drivers Association and will be implemented by Harness Racing Victoria starters immediately.
Standing Start Procedure
In a renewed attempt to promote a more consistent approach for the operation of standing start races, HRV Starters will endeavour to adopt the following procedure for a standing start event:
- Starter to call horses and drivers to gradually proceed forward towards the barrier strand;
- If horses are coming to the barrier too quickly or if a driver is attempting to anticipate the start (by rushing the tape) and thus gain an unfair advantage, the starter may turn the field away and recommence the desired process. In this circumstance action may be taken against offending drivers;
- Immediately prior to the start being effected, drivers will be expected to momentarily pause their horses and the starter will then verbally express in one continuous phrase, “All horses up to your marks, stand them up” at which time the barrier strands will be released;
- The fluency of such process is obviously heavily reliant on the communication provided by the starter, the co-operation of horse and driver and the particular circumstances of each standing start event.
Standing Starts
Background - It has become evident to HRV Stewards and Starters, that some drivers, particularly off significant handicap marks, are positioning their respective horse’s some distance back off the relevant barrier strand prior to the start and thus seemingly building up speed and momentum immediately prior to the start.
Therefore in an attempt to avoid this occurrence the following is to be adopted:
Australian Rule of Harness Racing (ARHR) 136(1) states: The starter may give such orders and take such measures as the starter considers necessary to secure a fair start.
Policy for Rule 136(1): To attempt to secure a fair start in a standing start race, the starter may consider it necessary for a barrier strand to be placed no less than ten (10) metres directly behind a horse’s allotted starting position.
Mobile Starts
Background – Stewards and drivers have identified some potential safety concerns in relation to the previous requirement for horses to follow the mobile barrier where a false start has been called. To avoid the possibility of horses choking down when following the mobile barrier for often a significant distance and to alleviate the possibility of such a requirement seemingly having the potential to impact on a horse’s subsequent performance, the following is to be adopted:
Australian Rule of Harness Racing (ARHR) 141(1) states: In mobile start races the starter may declare a false start if at or before the starting point a horse causes interference to another runner, falls, breaks gear or scores up in front of the gate.
Policy for Rule 141(1): When a false start is declared for a mobile start race, the starter will direct that all horses immediately return to the marshalling area via the shortest route, that gear adjustments are made if necessary and the mobile barrier will be repositioned to re-commence the score-up.
Drivers please continue to be aware of the requirement to have horses within one metre of the mobile barrier at the candy pole prior to the start.
Rule 162(1)(i) - A driver shall not fail to come up to the starting gate by the time the candy pole or other nominated marker is reached.
Drivers that are not in their required position at the candy pole and thus attempt to obtain ‘a run at the gate’ prior to the start will be penalised.
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