1. BACKGROUND
A sectional times policy is required for fair and competitive racing and to improve the perception of harness racing.
Races run at a slow early tempo typically disadvantage horses positioned back in the field due to very quick sectionals in the last part of the race. There is also a safety issue when horses over-race due to a slow tempo.
Such reasons provide strong justification for the introduction of this policy.
2. POLICY OPERATION
2.1 Those drivers who lead the race shall be deemed responsible for adhering to the required sectional times under Rule 162(1)(y), which reads – A driver shall not fail to adhere to the minimum time standards for sections of a race.
2.2 The policy will apply to horses that lead for the entire quarter. If a horse takes the lead during a quarter from another runner, the driver of the horse leading at the end of such quarter would not be penalised if the sectional time is outside the allowed time.
2.3 The sectional times policy will be enforced on a quarter by quarter basis with main focus on the first two quarters of the last mile with the maximum sectional times for any quarter being:
2.3.1 Gloucester Park, Pinjarra and Bunbury: 32 seconds
2.3.2 Albany, Bridgetown, Central Wheatbelt, Narrogin, Wagin and Northam : 33 seconds
2.3.3 Busselton, Collie and Williams: No sectional times will apply
3. PENALTIES FOR BREACHES OF POLICY
3.1 If a driver fails to adhere to the required sectional times without reasonable explanation, a minimum penalty of $100 will be applied where the time recorded is 0.1 to 1.0 seconds outside the sectional time requirement for the various tracks as listed above.
3.2 Penalties may be increased at the discretion of the Stewards in races where slower sectional times are recorded, particularly in circumstances where slower than average lead times are run in combination with slow first and second quarters or where slow consecutive quarters are recorded.
3.3 Offences of this nature will attract penalties under HR 162 (1) (y).
3.4 Stewards may also apply other rules in relation to pace if deemed applicable such as HR 162 (1) (u) and (x) which deal with abruptly reducing or checking the speed of a horse and setting an excessively slow pace.
In applying this policy, Stewards will take into account factors such as rain affected tracks, adverse weather conditions, and any other reasons considered to be relevant when sectional times outside of the above requirements are recorded.
The policy is not applicable for trotters or for 2YO races for the first 6 months of the season.
Brad Lewis
Chief Steward Thoroughbred & Harness
23 September 2020
