Harness Racing Victoria has amended its racing guidelines regarding horses that are stood down in an effort to maximise starters.
Based on industry feedback, horses that have been stood down can nominate and accept into another race if they trial successfully before the race day.
Horses currently stood down will only gain a start if the field hasn’t been filled by horses not stood down at acceptance time.
Accordingly, the guidelines below have been updated and are effective immediately.
11.4.1 – Where a horse is barred from racing, it may be included in acceptances for a race meeting if the trainer notifies HRV Racing Department where the horse will be trialling prior to race meeting.
11.4.2 If the requirements of Clause 11.4.1 are not satisfied, the horse shall be withdrawn and shall be ineligible to race at that meeting.
11.4.3 – At the time of acceptances, any horse subject to a bar under Clause 11.4.1 cannot gain a start ahead of any other horse not currently stood down.
11.7 – At the time of nomination, any horse subject to Clause 11.4.1 may, at the discretion of the HRV Racing Department, be excluded from the calculation of the minimum or required number of horses necessary for a race or race meeting to proceed in accordance with Clauses 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 of the Racing Guidelines.
