The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards remind all licensed persons of the following requirements relating to the start of each race:
- 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;
- All licensees must follow the directions issued by the Clerk of the Course and/or Stewards/Starters;
- 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 at all times follow the directions issued by the Starter and/or Clerk of the Course;
- 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 under Rule 238 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
**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.
Drivers should note that if they delay, and/or 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 has commenced, penalties may apply.
PARTICIPATION OF HORSES CIRCLING AT THE START POINT
It is a requirement for all horses to circle in an anti-clockwise direction, 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 which may include placing a warning on a horse’s record, placing the horse on its last chance or outside the barrier draw.
