Jay Abernethy says racing in the north is being hobbled by a ratings points system that is not working as designed.
Jay: Horsemen adamant we need revised handicapping system for the north
By Barry Lichter • 13 May 2020
Horsemen are pushing for a separate handicapping system to be introduced in the north before harness racing begins at the end of the month.
Harness Racing New Zealand has just approved minor tweaks to the present ratings matrix to acknowledge the lower stakes that will be on offer but in a letter to Harness Racing New Zealand CEO Peter Jensen yesterday, North Island Trainers’ and Drivers’ Association president Jay Abernethy says the points system is not working in the north as designed.
“It is promoting horses too quickly through the grades and doesn’t allow them to drop back fast enough to the grade where they are most competitive.”
Abernethy says the association considered a number of options and it became clear that it would be easier to tweak the present ratings system than to throw it out and start again.
“Whatever is proposed must be simple and easily understood.”
Abernethy says while it was nearly impossible to find a solution that everyone agreed with 100 percent, the suggested changes best represent the northern horsemens’ concerns and are supported by 139 of them.
- Instead of penalising horses eight points for a win, the new system sees six points added regardless of the track.
- Horses who finish further back than fourth will drop back one point (presently further back than fifth)
- And horses rated at 70 and above will drop back two points until they reach 70.
The horsemen want the race winners’ matrix to be suspended in the north while the new system is trialled until the end of the year.
First win
Other changes proposed include:
- A maiden’s first win will move it from an MR rating to an R rating without accruing any points. Whether it is an MR50 or MR44 it remains on that mark and becomes an R rated horse ie: R50 or R44.
- No limit on how far a horse can drop back until it reaches R40. Horses drop points on their true form and need to be able to find their true ratings.
Age group concessions include:
- Two-year-olds get one penalty free win for races under $15,000. (The horse will revert to MR50 as a three-year-old).
- Every third win as a three-year-old will be penalty free and
- Four-year-olds can have one penalty free win in a race for juniors or invited drivers.
“We know there is more work to be done such as better support for fillies and mares races and two-year-old and three-year-old caps but this is a start.”
Harness Racing New Zealand has previously been opposed to adopting different ratings system in the two islands but it has become obvious that with much smaller fields in the north, horses are reaching non competitive levels too quickly and aren’t dropping back quickly enough.
In the post COVID-19 landscape, with much lower stakes at Auckland, owners could not afford to wait months before their horses earned prizemoney again.
“We believe with the many changes thrust upon our industry now is the time to trial an amendment.”
More news in Harness
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Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
