new zealand thoroughbred racing handicapping guide v3.pdf · 2 nztr handicapping policy version 3...
TRANSCRIPT
NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACING
HANDICAPPING GUIDEversion 3 March 2013
CONTENTS
Photos courtesy Anniestudholme.com And rAce imAges (Kenton Wright) ltd
1. IntroductIon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. overvIew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3. PrIncIPlesofHandIcaPPIngInnewZealand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4. MetHodology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4.1 Penalties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4.2 DualBands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.3 PenaltiesforOpenClassRaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.4 PenaltiesforRating85Races. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.5 PenaltiesforRating75Races. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.6 PenaltiesforRatings65Races. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.7 MaidenRaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.8 Exceptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.9 IndicativeGuidetoHorsesMovingThroughGrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5. ratIngteMPlateguIde. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6. weIgHts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6.1 MinimumWeights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6.2 MinimumTopWeights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6.3 ThreeYearOldAllowances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6.4 FilliesandMaresAllowance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6.5 ApplicationofAllowances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6.6 JumpingRaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7. ratIngBasedraces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
7.1 OpenRaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
7.2 BenchmarkRaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
7.2.1 Rating85BenchmarkRaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 1
7.2.2 Rating75BenchmarkRaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7.2.3 Rating65BenchmarkRaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7.3 MaidenRaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7.4 2YOHandicapRaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
7.5 3YOHandicapRaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
7.6 setWeightandPenaltyRaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
7.7 setWeightandPenalty2YOand3YORaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
8. weIgHt-for-ageraces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
9. newZealandHandIcaPPIngInactIon.............................................................. 20
10. general. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
10.1 Balloting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
10.2 DomesticversusInternationalRatings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
10.3 Website........................................................................................................ 21
11. HandIcaPPIngcoMPlaIntsProcess. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
11.1 HandlingYourComplaintorQuery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
11.2 InvestigatingaComplaintorQuery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
12. glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
13. nZtrHandIcaPPIngPanel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
nZTRHandicappingLiaison(ComplaintsandQueries). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
2 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
ThenewZealandThoroughbredRacing(nZTR)HandicappingPanelhastheresponsibilityofensuringthatracesin
newZealandareruncompetitively,throughtheallocationofweightstobecarriedbyeachhorseinarace.
Theweightgiventoeachhorseisbasedontheindividualmeritsofthathorse,takingintoaccountthe:
§ Conditionsandregulationsrelatingtothatrace;
§ RatingsBasedHandicappingsystem;and
§ JudgmentoftheHandicapper.
TheaimoftheHandicappingGuideistoassistindustryparticipantstounderstand:
§ Theweighthorseswillreceivebyvirtueoftheirperformancesinthevariousracesinwhichtheycompete.
§ ProvideagreaterunderstandingofthenewZealandhandicappingsystemandmethodologiesthatareused.
TheGuidewillalsoprovidegreatertransparencyastohowtheHandicappersoperateandwillensurethatthe
handicappingsystemremainsfairandconsistentatalltimes.
Wherethereisasignificantvarianceinthere-ratingofanyhorseeg10+pointsforawinand5+pointsfora
placing,thenZTRHandicapperswillnowprovideanexplanationonthenZTRwebsiteastotherationaleforthe
higherre-rating.
1. INTRODUCTION
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 3
2. overview
TheRatingsBasedHandicapsystem(Ratingssystem)isaflexiblenumericbaseddomesticratingssystemallowing
horsestomoveupanddowntheratingsbands,whichenableshorsestoremaincompetitiveforlongerperiodsof
time,andallowsoutofformhorsestomovedowntheratingbands.
DomesticRating(Rating)comparestherelativeperformanceandeligibilityofhorsescompetinginracesin
newZealand.UndertheRatingsystemallhorsesareratedasmatureagemales,withsexandageallowances
deducted(whereapplicable)oncethefieldforaraceisdetermined.
WiththeRatingssystem,theHandicappersallocatehorsesanumericRating(withintwoworkingdays)followinga
raceperformancewithinnewZealand.TheseRatingsgiveanindicationoftheweightahorsemayreceiveineach
ratingband.InaccordancewiththenZTRRuleofRacing(216),theHandicappershavethediscretiontoamend
WeightsorRatingsaftertheyhavebeenallocated.
OtherthanMaidenRaces,whichareassessedusingasetformula,thereisnoautomaticupgradetoahorse’s
Ratingforawinorplacedperformanceandnoautomaticdowngradetoahorse’sratingforanunplaced
performance.ThereareanumberofcircumstanceswherebytheHandicappermayapplyjudgmentordiscretionin
determiningthefinalRatingofahorseafteraraceperformance.
Theapplicationofageandsexallowanceswillmeanthatinmanycircumstancestwohorsesonthesameratingwill
havedifferentweights.Forexample,a4YOmareanda4YOgeldingarebothrated85inarating85race,withthe
geldingallocated59kgandthemare57kgafterthe2kgmaresallowanceisapplied.
4 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
§ Handicappersallocaterelativeweightsforhorsestocarryinracesinanattempttohaveeachhorse,despite
differingability,tobecompetitiveinhandicapraceevents.
§ Ratingpenaltiesareallocatedonadiscretionarybasisbythehandicapperinaccordancewiththispolicy
§ InnewZealandhorsesarehandicappedfromthetopweightdownwards.
§ TheRatingofthetopweightedhorsedeterminesthespreadoftheweightscaleinarace.
§ Theremaybecircumstanceswherethelowestweightedhorseorhorsesareallocatedaweightthatishigher
thantheadvertisedminimumweight.
§ Ahorsemaynotbeabletoclaimalloftheirageand/orsexallowanceifthismeansitwillgobelowthe
advertisedminimum.
§ Theremaybecircumstanceswherethereareanumberofhorsesweightedontheminimumthathold
differentRatings.Thesehorsescouldbedeemedtobedisadvantagedbythescaleofweights,howeverthese
lowerweightedhorsesmaybeeligibletoentermoresuitable(lowerrated)races,whilethemajorityofhorses
weightedabovetheminimumwillbebetterweightedintheapplicableratingbandrace.
example: horse A has a rating of 80, horse B has a rating of 72 (both male horses). in a rating 75 Benchmark
race horse A would carry 4kg more than horse B. in an open handicap they will both carry the minimum 54kg
disadvantaging horse B; however horse B is eligible to enter much easier races, while those horses above the
minimum in an open handicap are generally only eligible for open class races.
§ TheRatingsprovideanindicationofwhatweightahorsemaybeallottedinaparticularratingband.The
eventualspreadofweightsisdeterminedbythefieldstrength,andisatthediscretionoftheHandicappers.
§ HorsesthathavecompetedinaracewillhavetheirRatingassessedattheendofeachperformance.
§ Awinningperformancewillusuallyattractaweightand/orratingsincrease.Anyincreaseisbasedonthe
Handicappersassessmentofthehorsesperformanceintherace,takingintoaccountfactorssuchasprevious
formandperformance,thesizeandstrengthofthefieldandtheauthorityofthewin,trackconditions,
positioninrunning,stipendiarystewardsreports,havingregardtotheweightcarried,winningmarginand
timefortherace,aswellasanyotherrelevantfactor.
§ HorsesthatareplacedsecondorthirdmayalsohavetheirRatingincreased,dependingonthemeritofthe
performanceandtheirproximitytothehorse(s)aheadinthefinishingorder.However,thismaynotalwaysbe
thecase.Horsesfinishingfurtherbackmayormaynothavetheirratingschange,basedonperformanceand
thequalityoftherace.
§ Horsescangraduatefromonerating‘band’toanotherthroughplacedperformances.
§ Asageneralrule,ahorsethatmovesbacktoalowerratingbandracewillgoupinweight,andahorsethat
movesuptoahigherratingbandracewillgodowninweight.
3. PRINCIPLES of nz handicapping
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 5
§ HorsesgraduatingfromMaidenclasswillberatedbytheHandicapperto63,64or65dependingonthe
strengthofthewin.Thiswillbeassessedwithreferencetotheadvertisedprizemoneyfortheraceandthe
relativestrengthofthefield.AMaidenhorsemaybere-ratedhigherthan65ifitwinsaBlackTyperace,a
ratingsbasedoropenhandicaprace.
§ AMaidenhorsewillnotberatedhigherthan54unlessitisplacedoutsideofMaidencompany.AMaiden
horseratedhigherthan54remainseligibleforMaidenraces,andthehorsemayhaveitsratingdroppedback
to54ifitissubsequentlybeateninaMaidenrace.
§ TheHandicapperwilltakeintoaccountanyoverweightcarriedwhenadjustingRatingsand/orweights,butno
allowancewillbetakenofApprenticeallowances,asthesehavebeendesignedtoallowfortheinexperience
oftherider,andconsequentlyarenotrelevanttothehandicapassessmentofthehorse
§ Overseashorses,ornewZealandhorsesthathaveracedoverseas,willbeallocatedaRatingwhennominated
innewZealandorifrequestedbythehorse’sconnections,basedontheiroverseasperformanceandtheir
ratingintheoverseasjurisdiction.nZTRHandicappersmayalsoconsultwithHandicappersfromthathorse’s
homejurisdictionorthelocationofthehorse’soverseasperformance.
6 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
4. methodology
4.1 PenaltIes
Therearenoautomaticorfixedadjustmentsforawinorplacedperformanceandinallcircumstancesthe
Handicapperhasthediscretiontoassessthehorse’sperformanceoutsidegenerallyappliedratingadjustments.
Itisinthebestinterestofracingthatthehandicappershavethediscretiontotakeintoaccountallthe
considerationsanddeliberationsthatarenecessarywhenre-ratingracesandframingweights.
Thekeyprinciplethatthehandicappersuseis,iftheracewastoberunagainthenextday,whatwouldbethe
weightturnaroundbetoequalizethechancesofallhorses.Thisisfirstlyassessedbyweight,andthenreflectedin
theratingschange.
Everyraceisdifferent,andisconsideredonitsownmeritsandisnotcomparedtootherraces.
Awinningperformancewillusuallyseeahorsehaveitsratingincreased.Horsesthatareplacedsecondorthird
mayalsohavetheirratingincreased,dependingonthemeritoftheperformanceandtheirproximitytothehorse(s)
aheadinthefinishingorder.
Horsesmayreceiveanincreasedratingforplacingwithintheirownratingorhigherratingbands,whichmaymean
thatthishorsemovesintothenextratingsband.
Thereassessmentofahorse’sratingtakesintoaccounttheRatingofthatparticularhorsegoingintotherace.
HorseswithrelativelylowRatingsthatcompeteinstrongracesareeffectivelydisadvantagedbythescaleof
weights.ThereforeiftheywinorplacetheycanexpecttohavelargerRatingadjustmentsthanhorsesinthesame
racethathadhigherRatings.ThisisparticularlyrelevantinsetWeightsorWeight-for-Ageevents.Wherehorses
withlargeRatingdiscrepanciesmeetatequalweightsandfinishrelativelyclosetogetherthehorsewiththelower
ratingmayincurmoreRatingpointsevenwhereithasfinishedbehindthehigherratedhorse.
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 7
example 1 – When winning the 2011 group 1 WFA captain cook stakes, mufhasa had a figure of 111, 6 points (or
3kg) above the next highest rated horse. the WFA conditions of the race advantaged mufhasa enormously and
therefore the winning performance did not attract a penalty.
example 2 – After winning the 2012 listed White robe lodge handicap, Jaggard’s rating went from 72 to 90 (18
points). this increase takes into account the high base rating (where the highest rated older male horse to carry
the minimum is situated), which for this race was 86. Factoring in the use of dual bands (where the same weight is
assigned to two different ratings), in the context of this race the actual penalty for Jaggard was 1kg for winning by a
nose.
Wherethereisasignificantvarianceinthere-ratingofanyhorseeg10+pointsforawinand5+pointsfora
placing,thenZTRHandicapperswillnowprovideanexplanationonthenZTRwebsiteastotherationaleforthe
higherre-rating.
4.2 dualBands
ThenZTRratingstemplatecontains“dualbands”.Thatiswheretwodifferentratings“share”thesameweight.
Thisisdonetoallowaspreadofweightsinsomeraces,aswellastodifferentiatebetweenhorsesracingin
differentclasses.Itmustberememberedthatthismayalsoaffectthenumberofpointsahorsemaybere-rated
followingtherace.
example – For a second placed performance a horse with a rating of 72 in a rating 75 race is given a 1kg penalty
and is taken to rating 74 (2 points). A rating 65 horse in the same race is given the same 1kg penalty, will see their
rating go to 68 (3 points), given the dual bands at the bottom of the grade.
WheretheremaybeasignificantvarianceintheapplicationofdualbandsfromthenZTRratingstemplatethe
nZTRHandicapperswillprovideanexplanationonthenZTRwebsitetoexplainthechange.Itmustbenotedthat
becausetheHandicappersarerequiredundertheRulestoissuetheweightsforallRatingsbasedHandicapraces
witha59kgtopweight,thehighestratedhorseinthatracewillbescaledaccordinglyasthehighestratedhorse
hastocarry59kg.
4.3 PenaltIesoPenclassraces
InOpenClassraces,winnersmayexpect(withexceptions)toberaised1kgto2.5kg.
Theactualindividualre-ratingmaynotnecessarilyequatetoaformulaewhereonepointequals0.5kg.Thisisdue
tofactorssuchasdualbands,racestrength/sizeandhorsesratingbelowtheminimumweightfortherace.Refer
totheRatingsTemplateGuideonpage10tobetterunderstandtheuseofdualbandsinthehigherRatingsbased
Handicapgrades.
WinnersofOpenClassracescangenerallyexpecttobere-ratedbetween3-8pointssubjecttothehandicappers
determinationastothestrengthoftheraceandanyothercontributingfactors.
8 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
4. methodology continued
WinnersofanOpenClassraceracingoutoftheirgradecangenerallyexpectahigherre-ratingofbetween5-12
points.
Generally,placedhorsesinanOpenHandicapmayreceivetheequivalentweightpenaltyof0.5to1.5kg.This
penaltywillgenerallyequatetobetween1-5points.Thepenaltyislikelytobegreaterwherethehorsethatis
placedinanOpenorWFAraceisracingoutofitsgrade.
example – in the 2012 timaru cup run on 28 december, captain todd won and was given 1.5kg for winning by
0.2l. due to dual banding at the bottom of this listed race, this equated to 5 points (91 to 96). the solitaire, who
finished second, was rated102 and the 1/2kg penalty applied too her equated to one point to 103. the third
horse, Faxed, was the lowest rated horse in the race (at 72). the rating for Faxed was increased by 5pts to 77 for
placing in an open handicap, but Faxed effectively had no weight penalty applied, as Faxed would still be on the
minimum in an open handicap.
4.4 PenaltIesratIng85races
InRating85raceshorseswinningmayexpecttoberaised1kgto2.5kg.
Again,theactualindividualre-ratingmaynotnecessarilyequatetoaformulaewhereonepointequals0.5kg.
WinnersofanRating85racecangenerallybeexpectedtobere-ratedbetween5-8points.
HorseswinningaRating85raceracingoutoftheirgradeoffaratingbelow76canexpectare-ratingofbetween
5-12pointsandwillgenerallyremainintheRating85grade.
HorseswinningaRating85racethatarerated76-80arelikelytoberatedbetween5-8pointsandwillgenerally
remainintheRating85grade.
HorseswinningaRating85racethatarerated81-85cangenerallybeexpectedtobere-ratedbetween5-8points
andbetakenintotheOpengrade.
HorseswinningaRating85Benchmarkracethatarerated86+cangenerallybeexpectedtobere-ratedbetween
3-6points.
4.5 PenaltIesratIng75races
InRating75races,horseswinningmayexpecttoberaised1kgto2.5kg.
Again,theactualindividualre-ratingmaynotnecessarilyequatetoaformulaewhereonepointequals0.5kg.
WinnersofanRating75racecangenerallybeexpectedtobere-ratedbetween4-9points.
HorseswinningaRating75raceracingoutoftheirgradeoffaratingbelow66canexpectare-ratingofbetween
6-12pointsandwillgenerallyremainintheRating75grade.
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 9
HorseswinningaRating75raceoffaratingof66-70arelikelytobere-ratedbetween5-7pointsandwillgenerally
remainintheR75grade.
HorseswinningaRating75racethatarerated71-75cangenerallyexpecttobere-ratedbetween5-9pointsand
betakenintotheRating85gradewithanappropriateweightpenaltyfortheR75win.
HorseswinningaRating75Benchmarkracethatarerated76+cangenerallybeexpectedtobere-ratedbetween
4-7points.
example – At the same timaru meeting as above, never die won the rating 75 Benchmark 1200m with the top
rating of 75. never die was given a 2.5kg penalty in the next grade, taking her rating to 82. the ratings guide
template on page 10 indicates that never say die with a rating of 75 would expect to be weighted at 55kg (before
the mare’s allowance is provided). A 2.5kg penalty for winning the rating 75 benchmark equates to a 7 rating point
increase to rating 82 in the r85 grade (prior to the mare’s allowance) as indicated in the ratings guide template.
example – At the same timaru meeting sheiswhatsheis won the rating 75 Benchmark 1600m rated on 70 carrying
54.5kg (with her 2kg mare’s allowance). sheiswhatsheis was also given a 2.5kg penalty, but this time within the
rating 75 band, and was taken to a rating of 75.
4.6 PenaltIesratIng65races
InRating65races,horseswinningcangenerallyexpecttoreceiveaweightpenaltyof2kgto2.5kgsdependingon
therelativestrengthoftherace.ThemajorityofwinnersarelikelytomoveintotheRating75grade.
WinnersofanRating65racecangenerallybeexpectedtobere-ratedbetween4-9points.
HorseswinningaRating65raceoffaratingof56-60arelikelytobere-ratedbetween5-8pointsandwillgenerally
remainintheR65grade.
HorseswinningaRating65racethatarerated61-65cangenerallyexpecttobere-ratedbetween4-9pointsand
betakenintotheRating75gradewithanappropriateweightpenaltyfortheR65win.
HorseswinningaRating65Benchmarkracethatarerated66+cangenerallybeexpectedtobere-ratedbetween
4-8points.
4.7 MaIdenraces
AllMaidenhorsesbeginwithaRatingof45,unlesstheywinatrial.Winnersoftrialsreceive2pointstotaketheir
initialratingto47.
AMaidenhorsewillnotreceivearatingabove54unlessthathorseisplacedoutsideofMaidencompanyandin
theopinionoftheHandicapperaratinginexcessof54isappropriate.AMaidenhorsethatisplacedinaBlack
Typeracewillalmostalways(thoughtheremaybeexceptions)receiveahigherRatingthan54.
10 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
4. methodology continued
AsMaidenracesarerunsetweightracesMaidenhorsesareratedforballotingpurposesonly.
Maidenhorsesthatareratedabove54andstartinanyratingsbasedBenchmarkHandicaporathreeyearold
Maideninrestrictedagegrouprace,willbeweightedbasedontheirrating.
4.8 excePtIons
TheHandicappermaydecidenottolowerahorse’sRatingdespitethathorsehavingfinishedwellbackinaracein
thefollowingcircumstances:
§ Ifthehorseisracingatanunsuitabledistance(suchasastayerinsprintevents);
§ Wherethehorsesuffersinterferenceinrunning;
§ Wherethehorsemissesthestart;
§ Horsebeingwidethroughouttherace;
§ Horsecontestingasignificantlyhigherratingbandrace;
§ Horseresumingfromaspell.
§ OtherreasonsthattheHandicapperconsidersrelevanttothehorsesperformance.
Furthermore,ifahorsefalls,bleeds,isbroughtdown,pulledup,runsoff,disqualified,orlosesitsridertheremay
benoadjustmenttoitsRating.
AsaconsequenceoftheintroductionofRatingsbasedprogramming,theHandicappermayalsotakeintoaccount
thefutureeligibilityofahorseforaparticularratingbandwhenassessingabeatenperformance.Thismeansthata
horsemayhaveitsratinglowered,eventhoughitsufferedinterferenceorwascaughtwideinarace.Therationale
forthisisthattheconnectionsofthathorseshouldnotbeeffectivelypenalisedtwiceasaresultofbadluckin
running,providedthehorse’soverallperformancehistorywarrantsitseligibilityfortheratingbanditisdropping
backinto.
4.9 IndIcatIveguIdeastoHowHorsesMayMovetHrougHtHegrades
Thisisanindicative guide onlyastohowhorsesmaymovethroughthegradesforeachwin.However,thiswillnot
necessarilyalwaysapplyduetoarangeoffactorsthattheHandicapperhastotakeintoaccountwhenassessing
eachhorse’sperformance:
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 11
1stwin MaidentoR63/64
2ndwin toR70(moreifwinningR85race)
3rdwin toR75(moreifwinningR85race)
4thwin toR82
5thwin toR88orabove
Whenassessingtheratingsof2&3YOhorsesinBlackTyperaces,theHandicappermusttakeintoaccountthe
relativestrengthoftheseraces,especiallyearlyintheseasonwhenmostrestricted2&3YOfieldsmayhavevery
littleexposedform,andpenaltieswillbeassessedaccordingly.
12 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
5. Rating Template Guide
Finalweightsaresubjecttoanyscalingthatmayberequired.
TheHandicapperwill,afterassessingthenominationsandthestrengthofthefield,determineifandhowthe
weightsshouldbescaled.
Whilstthescalingofweightsremainsatthediscretionofthehandicapper,thefollowingtemplateisprovidedasa
guideastotheweightahorseislikelytobeallocatedinastandardnewZealandflatrace.
Theweightsshownareforthoseofa4YO+malehorseandarestillsubjecttoanyapplicableageandsex
allowances.Inallracesagainstmalehorsesfilliesandmaresreceivea2kgallowanceagainstthetemplateweight.
3YOallowancesareappliedinaccordancewiththetimeofyear.
Wherehandicapperschoosetoscaleweightsdifferentlytothetemplate,thereasonsforthevariationwillbe
publishedonnZTR’swebsiteatthetimeofdeclarations.
ratingtemplate
Allstandardweighttemplatesshownonnextpagecontain“dualbands”forRating75andabove.Adualbandis
wheretwodifferentratings“share”thesameweight.Thisisdonetoallowaspreadofweightsinsomeraces,as
wellastodifferentiatebetweenhorsesracingindifferentclasses.Thismayaffectthenumberofpointsahorsemay
bere-ratedfollowingtherace.
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 13
GROUP1&GROUP2
GROUP3&LIsTEDRACEs PREMIEROPEn
FEATURE&InDUsTRY
OPEn RATInG85 RATInG75 RATInG65RATInG WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT
109 61.0 62.0 63.0 64.0 108 60.5 61.5 62.5 63.5 107 60.0 61.0 62.0 63.0 106 59.5 60.5 61.5 62.5 105 59.0 60.0 61.0 62.0 104 58.5 59.5 60.5 61.5 103 58.0 59.0 60.0 61.0 102 57.5 58.5 59.5 60.5 101 57.0 58.0 59.0 60.0 100 56.5 57.5 58.5 59.5 99 56.0 57.0 58.0 59.0 98 55.5 56.5 57.5 58.5 97 55.0 56.0 57.0 58.0 96 54.5 55.5 56.5 57.5 95 54.0 55.0 56.0 57.0 94 54.0 55.0 55.5 56.5 93 53.5 54.5 55.0 56.0 92 53.5 54.5 55.0 55.5 91 53.0 54.0 54.5 55.5 62.0 90 53.0 54.0 54.5 55.0 61.5 89 52.5 53.5 54.0 55.0 61.0 88 52.5 53.5 54.0 54.5 60.5 87 52.0 53.0 53.5 54.5 60.0 86 52.0 53.0 53.5 54.0 59.5 85 53.0 54.0 59.0 84 53.0 58.5 83 58.0 82 57.5 81 57.0 62.0 80 56.5 61.5 79 56.0 61.0 78 55.5 60.5 77 55.5 60.0 76 55.0 59.5 75 55.0 59.0 74 54.5 58.5 73 54.5 58.0 72 54.0 57.5 71 57.0 62.070 56.5 61.569 56.0 61.068 55.5 60.567 55.5 60.066 55.0 59.565 55.0 59.064 54.5 58.563 54.5 58.062 54.0 57.561 57.060 56.559 56.058 55.557 55.056 54.555 Lowestratingforwinninghorse 54.054 Highestrankedmaiden(unlessperformedoutofclass)53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 LowestRankedMaiden
14 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
6.Weights
6.1 MInIMuMweIgHts
AsprovidedforinnZTRRacingPolicynohorseshallbeallocatedlessthan:
§ 52.0kginaHandicapGroup1orGroup2Race;
§ 53.0kginaHandicapGroup3,ListedRaceorPremierDayOpenRace;
§ 54.0kginallotherHandicapRaces.
6.2 MInIMuMtoPweIgHts
ThetopweightallocatedinaHandicapflatrace,atthetimeofweightdeclaration,shallnotbelessthan:
§ 58.0kgin2YOand3YOHandicapraces
§ 59.0kginallotherHandicapraces
InaccordancewithstandardRegulation8.3:
(a) IfattheclosingtimeofwithdrawalsforanyHandicapflatrace,thetopweightedhorsehasbeenallocatedless
than58kg,suchtopweightedhorseorhorsesshallbeallocated58kg,andtheweightsallocatedtothehorses
comprisingtheremainderofthefieldadjustedaccordingly.
(b) ForaTwoandThreeYearOldHandicapFlatRace,thethentopweightedhorsehasbeenallocatedlessthan
57kg,suchtopweightedhorseorhorsesshallbeallocated57kgandtheweightsallocatedtothehorses
comprisingtheremainderofthefieldadjustedaccordingly.
(c) IfattheadvertisedwithdrawaldeadlineforaMaidenFlatRace(exceptaMaidenTwoYearOldRace,Maiden
ThreeYearOldRace,orFilliesandMaresMaidenRace),thethentopweightedhorsehasbeenallocatedless
than58.5kg,suchtopweightedhorseorhorsesshallbeallocated58.5kgandtheweightsallocatedtothe
horsescomprisingtheremainderofthefieldadjustedaccordingly.
(d) ThesetweightsforMaidenTwoYearOld,MaidenThreeYearOld,andFilliesandMaresracesare57.5kgand
55.5kg.Becauseofthis,theminimumtopweightforthistypeofraceis57.5kg.
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 15
6.3 tHreeyearoldallowances
ThreeYearOldscompetingagainstolderhorsesinopenageracesreceiveaweightallowance,dependenton
thetimeofyear(asperthetablebelow).Thescalereflectsthedevelopingmaturityofthehorseastheseason
progresses.The3YOallowanceissubjecttostandardRegulation8.1wherea3YOcannotbeallocatedlessthan
theminimumweightforthatrace.
AUG-OCT nOv-JAn FEB-APR MAY-JUL
2.5kg 1.5kg 0.5kg -
6.4 fIllIesandMaresallowance
From14november2011,filliesandmareshavereceiveda2kgallowanceyearroundinallopensexraces.Three-
year-oldfillieswillalsobeeligibletoreceivetheirageallowanceontopofthissexallowance.Theapplicationof
theFilliesandMaresAllowanceissubjecttostandardRegulation8.1whereaFillyorMarecannotbeallocatedless
thantheminimumweightforthatrace.
6.5 aPPlIcatIonofallowances
Three-year-oldallowancescanbeclaimedinallopenageraces,andfilliesandmaresallowancescanbeclaimedin
allopensexraces,butcannotbeclaimedbelowtheadvertisedminimumweightforthatrace.seetheexampleof
newZealandHandicappinginActionbelow,toseehowthisworks.
6.6 JuMPIngraces
ForbothsteepleandHurdleraces,therearefourcategoriesofrace:
§ Maiden–66kgMaresand68kgGeldingsandEntires–setweights
§ RestrictedOpenRaces–65kgminimum
§ OpenRace–65kgminimum
§ PrestigeJumpingRace–65kgminimum
16 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
7. Ratings Based Races
Ratingsbasedraceswereintroducedon1August2005.
EligibilityforRatingsbasedracesisdeterminedatthetimeofnomination(unlessotherwisestatedinthe
conditionsofaparticularrace).Thereforeifahorse’sRatingisadjustedupwardsandbeyondthatparticularRatings
bandsubsequenttonominationsclosing,thehorseisstilleligiblefortheracebecauseeligibilityisdeterminedat
thecloseofnominations.Itmay,however,incuraweightpenaltywhichwillbedeterminedbytheHandicapper.
7.1 oPenraces
Openracesareopentoallhorsesexcepttwo-year-olds.
Thetopweightwilldeterminethespreadoftheweightsbelowit.Thetopweightedhorseisrequiredtocarry59kg
atthetimeofdeclaration.InOpenracesitispossiblefortheactualweightofahorsetodropfromoneracetothe
nextdespitethathorsewinninganOpenraceatitspreviousstart.Thisisareflectionofthemakeupofthefieldin
subsequentracesthatthehorsestartsin.
Thefieldisweightedinrelationtothetopweightandthestrengthofothernominations,nottowhatthehorses
havecarriedintheirpreviousrace(s).
7.2 BencHMarkraces
BenchmarkHandicappingdiffersfromthepreviousratingssystem,inthatitopensthetopoftheweightscaleto
includemorehorses,byallowingthenominationofhorsesabovetherace’sbenchmarknumber.Thisallowshorses
theopportunitytoraceinawiderselectionofraces,albeitcarryingextraweight.
Benchmarkracesaredesignedtoallowhorsestonominatewitharatingabovethatofthe‘benchmark’racerating,
andcarryweightabovetheminimumtopweightof59kg.Anextra0.5kgisallocatedforeachpointabovethe
benchmarkfigure.ForexampleifaraceisadvertisedasaRating75Benchmark,amalehorsewitharatingof77
cannominateandcarry60kg.Allsexandageallowancesarestillapplicabletobenchmarkraces.
ThemajorityofracesinnewZealandareprogrammedusingthefollowingclassifications.Thedescriptions
providedbelowareaguideonly.RatingsaredeterminedbytheHandicappersbasedontheraceperformancesof
anindividualhorseandinaccordancewiththeprinciplesandmethodologysetoutinthisGuide.
7.2.1ratIng85BencHMark
Theseracesareopentoallhorses.Thosehorsesaboverating85willcarry0.5kgextraforeachpointabove85.This
Ratingbandmaygenerallyincludethree,fourandfivewinhorses,butmayalsoincludehorseswithmorethanfive
winsthathavelostform.
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 17
7.2.2ratIng75BencHMark
Theseracesareopentoallhorses.Thosehorsesaboverating75willcarry0.5kgextraforeachpointabove75.This
Ratingbandmaygenerallyincludetwoandthreewinhorses,butmayalsoincludehorseswithmorethanthree
winsthathavelostform.
7.2.3ratIng65BencHMark
Areopentoallhorsesrated65andbelow,aswellasthosehorsesratedabove65withonewinorless.ThisRating
bandmaygenerallyincludeonewinhorses,butmayalsoincludehorseswithtwoormorewinsthathavelostform.
7.3 MaIdenraces
AsallMaidenracesareconductedsetweightraces,Maidenhorsesareratedforballotingpurposesonly.Maiden
horsesthatareratedabove54andstartinaRatingsracewillbeweightedbasedontheirRating.
MaidenhorsesstartwithaRating45.Ratingsarethenadjustedbasedonraceperformances:
§ Maidenwinre-ratedbetween63-65dependingonthestrengthoftheperformancewhichwillbedetermined
bytheHandicapperhavingregardtotheadvertisedprizemoneyfortheraceandtherelativestrengthofthe
field.
§ Placedsecondre-ratedto52
§ Placedthirdre-ratedto51
§ Placedfourthre-ratedto50
§ Placedfifthre-ratedto47
subsequentsecondplacedperformanceswillresultinahorsebeinggivenanextratworatingpoints,subjectto
theconditionthatahorsehavingrunsecondatitsmostrecentstartwillnotberatedbelow52orabove54.
subsequentthirdplacedperformanceswillresultinahorsebeinggivenanextraoneratingpoint,subjecttothe
conditionthatahorsehavingrunthirdatitsmostrecentstartwillnotberatedbelow51orabove54.
subsequentfourthorfifthplacedperformanceswillnotresultinanychangetoahorse’sratingsubjecttothe
conditionthatahorsehavingrunfourthatitsmostrecentstartwillnotberatedbelow50andahorsehavingrun
fifthatitsmostrecentstartwillnotberatedbelow47.
Maidenhorseswillloseapointforanunplacedeffort(sixthorworse)andafterthreeunplacedperformanceswill
revertto45,whichistheminimumratingahorsecanreceiveinnewZealand.
18 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
Horsesthatfinishsixthatanyoftheirfirstthreecareerracestartswillbere-ratedto46.ThatRatingrevertsto45
afteronestartunlessthehorseagainfinishessixthorbetter.
UnplacedrunsinGrouporListedracesareignoredforMaidenhorses.
examples:
FORM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RATInG
0287..................Rating50
8202..................Rating53
4522..................Rating54
3908..................Rating45
796...................Rating46
769...................Rating45
500...................Rating45
7.4 2yoHandIcaPraces
Two-Year-OldHandicapracesarerunasdiscretionaryhandicapswithoutreferencetoRatings.Thereasonsforthis
arethat2YOMaidenhorsesfrequentlystartin2YOHandicapsandtheirratingsarederivedfromafixedpoints
systemdesignedforballotingandnothandicappingpurposes.
7.5 3yoHandIcaPraces
Three-Year-OldHandicapracescanalsoattracthorseswithawidespreadofRatingsincludingMaidenhorses.
ThereforetheHandicappermayneedtoapplyamorediscretionaryapproachintheseracesandweightsmayneed
tobemorecompressed.ThiscanresultinhorsesondifferentRatingsreceivingthesameweight.
7.6 setweIgHtandPenalty(swP)races
InsWPracesweightsaredeterminedbyasystemoffixedpenaltiesforwinningperformances.Thesepenaltiesare
setoutintheraceconditions.
ConditionsmayvaryfromonesWPracetoanotherandareadvertisedintheThoroughbredRacingMonthly(TRM)
magazine.
7.7 setweIgHtandPenalty2yoand3yoraces
TheweightsforallsetWeightmixedgenderopenTwo-Year-OldandThree-Year-OldGroupandListedraceswill
be56.5kgforColtsandGeldings,and54.5kgforFillies.ForallothernonGroupandListedsetWeightraces,the
weightswillbe57.5kgforColtsandGeldingsand55.5kgforFillies.
7. Ratings Based Races continued
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 19
8. Weight-For Age (WFA) Races
TheWFAscaleisdesignedforhorsestomeetoneventermsonceconsiderationhasbeengiventoage,sexand
thetimeofyearthattheraceisbeingconducted.
From1August2008AustraliachangedtheirFilliesandMaresallowancefrom2.5kgto2.0kg.Accordinglynew
Zealandmadethedecisiontoadopta2.0kgFilliesandMaresallowanceforWFAeventsfrom8December2008.
AcopyofthestandardWFAscaleisfoundbelow.
standardweIgHt-for-agescaleforflatraces(effective8december2008)
Aug Sep Oct NOv Dec JAN Feb MAr Apr MAy JuN Jul
DiStANce AGE
1000 mto1200 m
2 45.0 46.0 47.0 48.0 49.0 50.0 51.0
3 51.5 52.0 53.0 53.5 54.5 55.0 55.5 56.0 56.5 57.0 57.5 58.0
4 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5
5+ 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5
Over 1200 mto1400 m
2 44.0 45.0 46.0 47.0 48.0 49.0 50.0
3 50.5 51.0 52.0 53.0 54.0 54.5 55.5 56.0 56.5 57.0 57.5 58.0
4 58.5 58.5 58.5 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0
5+ 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0
Over 1400 mto1600 m
2 43.5 44.5 45.5 46.5 47.5 48.5 49.5
3 50.0 50.5 51.0 52.0 53.0 54.0 55.0 56.0 56.5 57.0 57.5 58.0
4 58.5 58.5 58.5 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0
5+ 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0
Over 1600 mto2000 m
2 42.5 43.5 44.5 45.5 46.5 47.5 48.5
3 49.0 49.5 50.0 51.0 52.0 53.0 54.0 54.5 55.5 56.5 57.0 57.5
4 58.0 58.0 58.0 58.5 58.5 58.5 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0
5+ 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0
Over 2000 mto2400 m
3 48.5 49.0 49.5 50.5 51.0 52.0 53.0 54.0 54.5 55.5 56.0 57.0
4 57.5 57.5 57.5 58.0 58.0 58.0 58.5 58.5 58.5 59.0 59.0 59.0
5+ 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 59.0
Over 2400 mto3200 m
3 48.0 48.5 49.0 50.0 50.5 51.5 52.5 53.5 54.0 55.0 55.5 56.0
4 57.5 57.5 57.5 58.0 58.0 58.0 58.5 58.5 58.5 59.0 59.0 59.0
5+ 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5
FilliesandMarestobeallowed2.0kgfrom1stAugustto31stJuly
20 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
9. Nz Handicapping in Action
InallBenchmarkracestheBenchmarkweightissetat59kginaccordancewiththeminimumtopweightprovision:
R75BEnCHMARkHAnDICAPMIn54kG
HORsE AGE/sEx RATInG WEIGHT
1 FightingBlossom 6g 77 60.0
2 Rafa’sPride 5g 75 59.0
3 DirtyRed 5m 78 58.5
4 LuckO’theirish 5g 73 58.0
5 Bluebags 6h 70 56.5
6 ThenewBlack 4m 73 56.0
7 Jefferson 7m 72 55.5
8 TommyTwister 3g 72 56.0
9 Friendly 3f 66 54.0
10 Rhodes 6g 65 54.0
11 BumperFarrell 6m 65 54.0
#1 fightingBlossom–Asarating776YOgeldinginaR75benchmark,FightingBlossomiseligibletostartand
willbeweightedat60kgandcarry1kg(equivalentof2ratingspoints)abovethe59kgminimumbenchmark
weight.
#2 rafa’sPride–Asarating755YOmalehewouldbehandicappedtocarrythe59kgminimumtopweight.
#3 dirtyred–AsaR78mareinaR75BenchmarkHandicapDirtyRedisalsoeligibletostartandwouldbe3pts
(1.5kg)abovetheBenchmarkweight(equivalentof60.5kg),whichisreducedto58.5kgwhenthe2kgmares
allowanceisincluded.
#4 lucko’theirish–Asa5YOmale,inaR75racehewouldcarry1kg(2pts)lessthantheR75Benchmarkhorse.
#5 Bluebags–Asa6YOmale,inaR75racehewouldcarry56.5kg.
#6 thenewBlack–InthiseventThenewBlackresumesoffaR73markinanR75event,soshewouldhave1kg
(2pts)lessthanRafa’sPride(57kg),beforethe2kgmaresallowanceisincluded,reducingherweightto56kg.
#7 Jefferson–asaR72mareshecarries55.5kg.
#8 Tommytwister–AR72oldermalewouldbeweightedtocarry57.5kginanR75event,howeverasa3YO
TommyTwister(nov-Janperiod)isentitledto1.5kg(3pt)ageallowance,reducinghisweightto56kg.
#9 friendly–Becausesheisalreadyweightedattheminimum(54kg),her2kgfilliesand1.5kg3YOallowances
cannotbetakenasnohorsecanbeweightedtocarrylessthantheadvertised54kgminimum.
#10 rhodes–AsaR693YOcoltheisweightedon54kg.
#11 Bumperfarrell–Becausesheisalsoalreadyweightedatminimum(54kg)her2kgmaresallowancecannotbe
taken.
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 21
10. General
10.1 BallotIng
RatingsareutilisedintheBallotingConditionsofthenZTRstandardRegulationsforthepurposeofdetermining
theorderofballotsandeliminations.ThemajorityofracesconductedinnewZealandareruninaccordancewith
thestandardRegulations.
Forthoseracesthatarenotrunundertheseconditions,andwherethefieldisselectedbasedonothercriteria,the
entryandqualifyingconditionswillbeadvertisedintheTRM.
10.2 doMestIcversusInternatIonalratIngs
ThedomesticRatingsBasedHandicappingsystemshouldnotbeconfusedorjudgedagainsttheendofseason
InternationalorAnZRating.
TheInternationalandAnZRatingsarecompiledattheendofeachseasonandareapeakperformancerating
basedonthehorse’sbestperformanceforthatseason,takingintoaccountsthestrengthofthefieldthat
performancecamein.Internationalratingsarebasedonanscaleofratingsthatdiffersfromthescaleofratings
usedfordomesticratings.
10.3 weBsIte
RatingsaredisplayedalongsidenominationsonthenZTRwebsite(www.nzracing.co.nz)atthetimeoftheir
release.RatingsarealsoavailableonlineforallhorsesthatarecurrentlyracinginnewZealandbythefollowingsort
options;byhorsename,bydescendingRating,byascendingRatingandbytrainer.
22 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
11. Handicapping Complaints Process (from 25 March 2013)
newZealandThoroughbredRacinghasinitiatedaformalprocessforhandlingcomplaintsrelatingtothere-rating
ofhorsesand/ortheweightingofahorse.
TheHandicappingComplaintsProcessprovidesfortheownerorlessee,ortheTrainer(asdetailedinnZTRRules
ofRacing215)tomakeaformalcomplaintastothere-ratingand/ortheweightingoftheirhorse.nZTRwillalso
responddirectlytothenewZealandTrainersAssociationinregardtoanyformalcomplaintofbehalfofoneof
theirmembers,
nZTRwilllooktoresolveanyhandicappingcomplaintsreceivedasquicklyasispractical.
ThisHandicappingGuidehasbeenprovidedtoassistindustryparticipantsunderstandingofthemethodand
decisionmakingprocessusedbytheHandicapperswhenarrivingattheweighthorseswillreceivebyvirtueoftheir
performancesinthenumerousracestheycompetein.
TheaimoftheHandicappingGuideistoprovidegreatertransparencyastohowthenZTRHandicappersoperate
thatwillensurethatthehandicappingsystemremainsfairandconsistent,withthehighestlevelofintegrity,atall
times.
11.1 HandlIngacoMPlaIntorQuery
§ Inthefirstinstancetheowner/lesseeortrainershouldspeakdirectlytothenZTRHandicapperstogainan
understandingastothewayinwhichthere-ratingorhandicappingoftheirhorsehasbeenassessed.
InmostcasesitwouldbenZTR’sexpectationthatthehandicapperswillbeabletoresolvethevastmajorityof
handicappingenquiriesorcomplaintsinthismanner.
§ Iftheowner/trainerisnotsatisfiedwiththeresponsereceivedfromtheHandicappers,theymayescalate
theircomplaintbyemailingcomplaintshcp@nzracing.co.nzorbymakingacomplaintinwritingtonZTR
HandicappingLiaisonOfficer,POBox38386,WellingtonMailCentre5045.
§ AllcomplaintsreceivedinwritingwillbedirectedtonZTR’sHandicappingLiaisonOfficer.
§ TheHandicappingLiaisonOfficerisindependentofnZTRmanagement.TheHandicappingLiaisonOfficeris
empoweredtocarefullyconsiderandmakearecommendationtothenZTRChiefExecutive,whereitcanbe
establishedthattherehasbeenamaterialerrorinthere-ratingorhandicappingofahorse.
§ Allcomplaintswillbeacknowledgedwithinoneworkingdayofbeingreceived.Pleasenote:whenwriting
totheHandicappingLiaisonOfficerpleaseprovideinwritingthefulldetailsofthecomplaint,alongwithan
understandingoftheexplanationprovidedbytheHandicappersandanexpectationastowhatyoubelieve
needstohappen.Pleaseincludeyourfullname,addressandcontactdetailsandconfirmyourrelevantinterest
inthehorsethatisthesubjectofthecomplaint.
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 23
11.2 InvestIgatIngacoMPlaIntorQuery
§ UponreceiptofacomplainttheHandicappingLiaisonOfficerafterreviewingtheinformationprovided,will
seekaformalresponsefromthenZTRHandicappers.Dependingonthecomplexityofthecomplaintthe
responsefromthenZTRHandicappersshouldbeprovidedtotheHandicappingLiaisonOfficerwithintwo(2)
workingdaysoftherequestbeingmade.
§ ThenZTRHandicappingLiaisonOfficermayalsoseekfurtherinformationbeforemakingarecommendation
tothenZTRChiefExecutive.
§ PleasenoteRule216(1)providesthatthenZTRHandicappersmayamendtheallottedweightand/orrating
ofahorseonlyiftheChiefExecutiveissatisfiedthattheallottedweightand/orratingwasincorrectbecause
of:
§ aclericalerroratthetimeofreleaseofsuchweightand/orrating;
§ incompleteorinaccurateinformationontheperformances,age,sexoridentityofthathorse:or
§ anerrorbytheHandicapperintheassessmentoftheageorsexofanyentryoroftheconditionsofthe
race.
§ WheretherecommendationoftheHandicappingLiaisonOfficerresultsinthenZTRChiefExecutive
supportinganyamendmentoftheallottedweightand/orratingofahorse,asprovidedforbytheRulesof
Racing,nZTRwillpublishonitswebsiteacopyofthereportfindingsthathassupportedthechange.
§ WherenoactionwillbetakenbynZTRinregardtoacomplaint,nZTRwillprovidethecomplainantwiththe
reportfindingsthathavebeenprovidedbytheHandicappingLiaisonOfficerfortheirinformation.
24 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
allowance
Areductionintheweighttobecarriedbyahorseconferredasaresultoffactorswhichincludeageorsex
allowances.
apprenticeallowance
AweightallowanceconferredtoahorseasaresultofthathorsebeingriddenbyanApprenticeRider.
Ballotingorder
Theorderbywhichhorsesareeliminatedfromaracewherethetotalnumberofhorsesremaininginthefieldatthe
closeoffinalwithdrawalsexceedsthestartinglimit.
Benchmarkrace
Aracewhichallowshorsestonominateabovetheadvertisedbenchmarkrating.Horsesthatnominateabove
thisfigurewillreceiveanextra0.5kgforeachpointtheyareabovethebenchmarkratingoftherace.Applicable
allowancesaresubsequentlytakenoffthisweight
Blacktyperace
AracethatisclassifiedaseitherGroup1,Group2,Group3orListedbythenewZealandPatternCommittee(also
referredtoasastakesRace).TheseracesarethehigheststandardofthoroughbredhorseraceinnewZealand.
ThelistofGroupandListedracesapprovedbynewZealandPatternCommitteeisacceptedbytheInternational
CataloguingstandardsCommitteeforpublicationbyTheJockeyClub(Uk)inTheBlueBook.GroupandListed
racesarebrokendownintoGroup1,Group2,Group3andListedRaces
featurerace
Ahighqualityraceusuallyrunforhighstakes(prizemoney)forwhichentriesmaybetakenandweightsdeclared
earlierthanwouldbethecaseforotherraces.
grade
AcategoryintowhichahorsemightbeplacedbasedonitsRatingandthetypesofraceforwhichitiseligible.
Handicaprace
AraceinwhichtheweightstobecarriedbythehorsesareallocatedbytheHandicapperbasedoneachhorse’s
Ratingforthepurposeofequalisingtheirchancesofwinning.
Maidenrace
AMaidenflatraceisrestrictedtohorsesthathavenotwonaflatrace.AMaidensteeplechaseraceisrestrictedto
horsesthathavenotwonasteeplechaserace,andMaidenHurdleracesarerestrictedtohorsesthathavenotwon
aHurdlerace.
Minimumweight
Theminimumweightthatahorsecanbeallocatedinaparticularrace.Theminimumweightforeachracetypeis
advertisedinnZTR’sThoroughbredRacingMonthly(TRM)magazine.
12. Glossary Of Terms
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 25
openrace
Araceopentoallhorsesexceptforhorsesagedtwoyears,unlessthishasbeenadvertisedasaraceconditionin
theTRM.
overweight
Anamountofweight,generallynotexceeding0.5kg,thatahorsemaycarryinaraceinadditiontoitsallotted
weightbecauseitsriderisunabletomaketheallocatedweight.
Penalty
TheamountbywhichaHandicapperincreasesahorse’sweightand/orRatingfollowingawinorplaced
performance.
rating
Anumericalassessmentofahorse’spriorperformance(s)madebytheHandicapperwhichisusedtodeterminethe
weighttobecarriedbythathorseinanyHandicaprace.RatingsarealsousedtodeterminetheBallotingtheorder
forsomeraces.
ratingBand
AcategoryintowhichahorsemightbeplacedbasedonitsRatingandthetypesofRatingracesregularly
programmed.
example: A horse rated 70 might be considered to be in the rating 75 Band, because the most suitable races for
which it is eligible (which are regularly programmed) are rating 75 races.
ratingrace
Araceforwhicheligibilityisdeterminedbyahorse’sRatingatthecloseofnominations.
example: A rating 75 race is for all horses that have a rating up to and including 75 at the time of nomination.
setweightrace
Aracewhereallhorsescarrythesameweightsubjecttoasexallowanceforfilliesand/ormaresandanyapplicable
3YOallowances.
topweight
Thehighestweightallottedinaparticularrace.
weight-for-age(wfa)race
AraceinwhichtheweightstobecarriedbythehorsesaredeterminedbytheWeight-for-Age(WFA)scale.Under
theWFAscaleweightsaredeterminedaccordingtoahorse’sage,sex,theracedistanceandthemonthofthe
year.
26 nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013
13. NZTR Handicapping Panel
deannowell,chiefHandicapper. . . . . . . . . . +64(0)92996127. . . . . . . . . . . . .+64(0)274959992
Brettscelly,seniorHandicapper . . . . . . . . . . +64(0)45765092. . . . . . . . . . . . .+64(0)21888955
georgestrickland,cadetHandicapper. . . . . +64(0)45766269. . . . . . . . . . . . .+64(0)272078460
timlambert,cadetHandicapper…. . . . . . . . +64(0)45766246
nZtrHandIcaPPInglIaIson(coMPlaIntsandQuerIes)
c/-davidJewell,racing&operations. . . . . +64(0)45766262 . . . . . . . . . . . .+64(0)275113152
nZtrHandIcaPPIngPolIcyvERsIOn3MARCH2013 27
newZealandtHorougHBredracIngInc.106-110 Jackson Street
petone
Wellington 5045
New Zealand
pO box 38 386
Wellington Mail centre
Wellington 5045
New Zealand
t +64 4 576 6240
f +64 4 568 8866
w www.nzracing.co.nz