Handicapper: Ratings tweak will ensure fairer penalty for horses winning low stakes
By Barry Lichter • 12 May 2020
Harness Racing New Zealand has approved changes to the handicapping system to reflect the proliferation of low stakes races for the rest of the season.
An additional level has been added to the race winners’ matrix for races up to and including $7500, so horses winning less money are not penalised as much.
Under the old matrix, the lowest stakes band was $6000 to $9500, but the new one sees one category for races worth up to $7500, and another for races worth between $7501 and $9500.
Under the revised system an R55 horse which wins a $7500 race will be re-rated six points whereas under the old scale it would have got seven points.
Horses rated between R53 and R59, who previously raced for $15,000 or $20,000 at Auckland, and got eight points, will now be penalised only six points if they win a $7500 race at Cambridge.
No change has been made to the one point reduction for R60 horses who finish further back than fifth.
While minor, handicapper Andrew Morris says the changes make the penalties more fair for the lower grade horses, who will be in the majority until the end of the season.
The changes, recommended by the handicapping working group, have been approved starting the resumption of racing at Addington on May 29 until the end of the season when it is hoped prizemoney will increase.
HRNZ has confirmed that no races will be programmed for a stake of less than $7000 to the end of July.
Under an agreement between the racing codes and the Racing Industry Transition Agency, all funding that has been allocated to clubs for the latter part of the season must be applied to stakes.
The board has approved a standardised stakes breakdown based on 12-horse race fields to be applied to each race.
Stakes will be paid back to fifth with first 55%, second 15.5%, third 8%, fourth 4.5% and fifth 3%. All other starters will receive 2%.
The issue of paying all starters will be reviewed at the end of this season.
The new matrix follows. None of the concessions listed below have changed.
Summarised concessions and notable conditions
● 3YO+ fillies & mares -1 point & to a maximum of R54 for first win ($20k or less).
● 3YO+ fillies & mares: 1 point concession for every win R50 or greater.
● 2YOs: Maximum rating R50 for first win $20,000 or less.
● 2YO colts & geldings: 4 points if first win over $20,000.
● 2YO fillies: 3 points if first win over $20,000.
● 2YO colts & geldings: 4 points for all subsequent wins.
● 2YO fillies: 3 points for all subsequent wins.
● 3YO concession: 4 points every second win up to $20,000.
● Unplaced: -1 for horses rated R60 & below.
● Unplaced R60-R80: May be re-rated after 3 unplaced starts, maximum -3 points.
● Unplaced R81-R99: May be re-rated after 2 unplaced starts, maximum -3 points.
● Unplaced R100+: May be re-rated, maximum -3 points.
Unplaced = 6th or worse.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
