On the Pace Newsletter for the SA Harness Racing Industry December Edition FROM THE CEO PRIZEMONEY INCREASE FOR SA HARNESS RACING The HRSA Board have formally announced a prizemoney increase for the Code in South Australia effective from 1 February 2015. This announcement represents an increase of $300,000 per annum and includes as follows: Saturday night C/T Class races will increase to $7,000 per race. Saturday night Claiming races will increase to $5,000 per race. Friday night C/T Class races will increase to $4,000 per race. This announcement also follows the recent decision to increase non penalty races to the $2,000 threshold. Two and three year old C Class races on Friday and Saturday nights will remain at $4,000 & $8,000 levels. The increase will provide a much needed stimulus to local participants, with the intention to maintain and grow their investment in harness racing. It is also a direct consequence of the HRSA Board s strategic initiatives put in place 12 months ago which has resulted in an improved financial performance and increased market share. The initiatives include the: Introduction of fixed odds wagering on SA harness racing through Tattsbet; Expanded full page colour form guide for Monday race meetings in The Advertiser; and Wagering Website - trotsguide.com.au featuring detailed form analysis and speed maps. RACING OPERATIONS MANAGER We are delighted to announce that David Thuen has been formally appointed as the HRSA Racing Operations Manager. David had been acting in the role for the past three months, and during that time has done an excellent job. David has a strong background in harness racing, and has a clear focus on working with industry participants in driving the industry forward. HRSA congratulates David on his appointment. John Lewis, CEO HRSA PRIZEMONEY INCREASE FOR VICTOR HARBOR XMAS RACE MEETING In conjunction with the Victor Harbor Harness Racing Club, HRSA was pleased to announce a prizemoney increase for the race meeting to be held at Victor Harbor on Monday 29 December 2014. All programmed races at the race meeting will feature prizemoney of $5,000 per race. A new race program has also been released. The Xmas holidays race meeting at Victor Harbor is one of the most popular race meetings in the State, and this announcement will provide a genuine boost to ensure that the meeting has strong race fields. Additionally Victor Harbor is a very important part of the harness racing calendar, and the race meeting over the Xmas period is a great promotion to the tens of thousands of holiday makers on the South Coast. RETIREMENT OF RODNEY FOUREUR After 30 years of service, we wish to formally advise that Rodney Foureur is retiring as Senior Steward and Starter. Rodney s last day of service will be Friday 13th February 2015. On behalf of everyone in the harness racing industry, we wish Rodney all the best in his retirement and thank him for his service to the industry. Harness Racing SA, 1 Globe Derby Drive, Globe Derby Park SA 5110 Telephone: (08) 8285 2899, Facsimile: (08) 8285 2961 www.saharnessracing.com 1 ABN: 68 094 559 930
CHAIR OF STEWARDS REPORT Heat Policy With the hot weather approaching, trainers and drivers should be aware of the Racing in Hot Weather Policy, on the HRSA website. On race days where the forecast maximum temperature (as determined by the Bureau of Meteorology) will exceed 38 degrees celsius, a trainer may seek permission from the stewards to scratch a horse engaged to race on that day. If this is done prior to 9am there will be no penalty. Scratchings effected after 9am on race day may attract the normal scratching penalty. A horse may also be withdrawn due to heat stress on arrival at the track by order of the stewards in consultation with the trainer and on course Veterinarian. Any penalty incurred would be at the discretion of the stewards. A horse s susceptibility to heat stress is not influenced solely by weather conditions. Other risk factors include travelling long distances, withholding drinking water prior to racing, horses with an excitable temperament and horses that sweat excessively or do not sweat adequately. Trainers should take all of this into consideration when deciding whether to seek permission to withdraw from racing on that day. For horses and participants that do compete in weather over 38 degrees the following will be implemented: All horses will be checked for signs of heat stress by a veterinarian on arrival on course. Horses will not be required to parade and identification procedures shall be conducted in the stalls. Additional equipment will be provided by the race club to assist the comfort of horses. This includes adequate wash bays and hoses, large bins stocked with ice, large sponges and adequate drinking water. The veterinarian will endeavour to inspect all horses after the completion of the preliminary and prior to the start of each race. Horses required to undergo post-race sampling will be detained in the swab stall for a period at the discretion of the veterinarian and stewards. If a trainer is concerned about how their horse is coping with the heat before its race, they should approach the stewards and ask to withdraw the horse from the race. Stewards will seek the opinion of the veterinarian when considering such an application. Seven horses across the front at Globe Derby For a three month trial period from 1 January 2015, Globe Derby will have seven horses across the front row for both mobile and standing start races. Field sizes will remain at a maximum of 10 horses. This will bring Globe Derby in line with metropolitan tracks across Australia, where a minimum of seven horses are drawn on the front line. A review will be conducted at the end of the trial period. Sprint Lane for Mount Gambier On Sunday 30 November 2014 Mount Gambier commenced racing with a 135 metre single lane sprint lane. The Mount Gambier track has long been considered a leaders track which has influenced both betting and racing. It is considered a sprint lane will create a better racing opportunity for all horses and provide increased betting turnover. Splash Sheets and Mudguards Trainers are reminded that splash sheets and mudguards must be carried with them to all race meetings and trials. When 2 Barbara Scott Chair of Stewards stewards order the fitting of splash sheets and/or mudguards it is due to safety concerns regarding a lack of visibility from mud being thrown back. Any trainer that does not have adequately fitting mudguards and/or splash sheets available for use will be fined. New Rules & Amendments from 1 November 2014 From 1 November 2014, HRSA adopted the following Australian Harness Racing Rules Amendments. 26(1) The Controlling Body may in respect of any race determine all applicable security arrangements including those applying to a horse or horses. 119C (1) A trainer shall not without the prior approval of the stewards stable any horse trained by him at any location other than any registered training establishment of the trainer. 188A (2) (k) Cobalt at a concentration at or below 200 micrograms per litre in urine 193 (5) the Stewards shall order the withdrawal or disqualification of a horse that has been either treated or attempted to have been treated in breach of sub-rules (1), (2) and (3). 254A (1) a child who has not attained the age of 14 years may only enter the stabling area at a race meeting or an official trial where the child is separated from the horse stalls by a barrier preventing direct access to the horse stalls. 254A (2) A licenced person must take all reasonable steps to ensure that a child under their care and/or control and who has not attained the age of 14 years shall not enter the stabling area at a race meeting or an official trial unless that child is separated from the horse stalls by a barrier preventing direct access to the horse stalls. 254A (3) A licenced person who contravenes the provisions of sub-rule (2) is guilty of an offence. There are other rule amendments regarding artificial breeding and stud book regulations that can be found on the HRA website under Rule Amendments. Trainers Log Book Trainers are reminded that it is a requirement under the Rules to keep and maintain a log book that lists: (a) all therapeutic substances in his or her possession; (b) the details of treatment administered to any horse in his or her care. Treatment includes all drugs administered by or prescribed by a veterinarian, all injectable veterinary medicines, all alkalinising agents and all herbal preparations. Stewards can request a trainer to produce their log book at any time. Any trainer who fails to comply with the provisions of Rule 190B in relation to the keeping and maintaining of a log book is guilty of an offence. If you are unsure of your requirements in relation to the log book please speak with the stewards.
RACING OPERATIONS REPORT 2015 SA Country Trotters Cup Series 25th January 2015 (Sunday) VICTOR HARBOR $7,000 15th February 2015 (Sunday) MOUNT GAMBIER $7,000 20th February 2015 (Friday) PORT PIRIE $7,000 1st March 2015 (Sunday) KAPUNDA $8,000 7th March 2015 (Saturday) GAWLER @ GDP (Hambeltonian) $10,000 14th March 2015 (Saturday) BETEZY PARK GLOBE DERBY $12,000 (Fred Jones Country Trotters Cup) 27th March 2015 (Friday) KADINA @ Port Pirie (1609m) $7,000 8th June 2015 (Sunday) STRATHALBYN $7,000 Conditions: All races T2 or better Discretionary Handicap (standing start). Each Club to provide Trophy and Rug to the winner. The winner of each Country Cup is exempt from the ballot for the Fred Jones Country Trotters Cup on 14th March. (Excludes Kadina Cup, which is run on 27th March and Strathalbyn Cup, which is run on 8th June) All horses will need to re-nominate for the Fred Jones Country Trotters Cup. Field selection for the 14th March race will be the winners of the five lead-up Trotters Cups (excludes Kadina Cup and Strathalbyn Cup), plus the trotters with the next highest available points scorers from these five races. Points for each race will be 1st 10, 2nd 7, 3rd 5, 4th 3, 5th 2, others 1. Handicaps for each race will be determined under normal discretionary handicapping procedures. All participants in the Fred Jones Country Trotters Cup 14th March) must have competed in at least one (1) of the five lead-up Country Cups to be eligible. The SA Square Trotters Association will provide the Cup and Inscribed Rug for the Fred Jones Country Trotters Cup. HRSA reserves the rights to alter these dates and conditions if required. 2014/2015 SA Young Concession Drivers Challenge Harness Racing SA will be running a series of races as part of the 2014/2015 SA Young/Concession Drivers Challenge. Points will be awarded for each drive and the highest average points scorer will be awarded the title. Drivers who will be invited to compete in the initial races: Aaron Bain Brett Lowe Matt Maguire Megan Gee Michael Harding Lisa Ryan Matthew Smith Michael A Smith Shane Turner Jake Webster Brett Mackay Mark Phillips Jayson Finnis Two races will be programmed each month from the months of January to August, which will all be penalty free races. Conditions: * For Drivers Under 25 or Concession Drivers at the commencement of the 2014/15 Racing season invited to compete by HRSA Ltd * The winners of these races shall not incur a handicapping penalty. No driver s concession claims * Drivers are randomly allocated to each horse. * If more than 10 drivers are available for a race, a ballot will be conducted for the drivers to contest the race. Drivers will be balloted, where possible, only once and won t be included in future ballots, until all drivers have received a ballot. If a driver is unavailable for a race, that will count as a ballot. * Points awarded to the Driver for each placing in finishing order: 17, 12, 9, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 * The leading average point scorer (minimum 10 drives) will be awarded a trophy at the completion of the 16 race series. The average score will be determined by total points scored divided by the number of drives. If there is a tie, there will be a count back on most wins, then most seconds etc. 2015 SA Kindergarten Stakes Series The 2015 Kindergarten Stakes series for 2 year olds will begin on Sunday 25th January. It culminates with the $15,000 Kindergarten Stakes, which is to be run at Globe Derby on Friday 27th February. There will be six Preludes run as a lead-up to the 27th February race. Dates for all races programmed are as follows: Prelude Dates: 25th January (Sun) Victor Harbor $3,000 PBD/S 31st February (Sat) Globe Derby $3,000 PBD/2R 7th February (Sat) Globe Derby $3,000 PBD/2R/S 13th February (Frid) Port Pirie $3,000 PBD/2R 15th February (Sat) Mt Gambier $3,000 PBD/2R/S 21st February (Sat) Globe Derby $3,000 PBD/2R/S Finals: 27th February (Frid) Globe Derby $15,000 PBD/2C/S Conditions: Open to 2YO pacers, 1800m. Preludes carry graduation (2R) penalties; Kindergarten Stakes carries a career (2C) penalty. Horses can contest more than one Prelude, but in field selection for the Preludes, preference will be given to horses that haven t competed in a Prelude. Horses can win more than one Prelude. Field for Kindergarten Stakes on 27th February will be selected from the horses which contested at least one Prelude and which nominate for the race. Winners of the Preludes gain automatic entry to the Kindergarten Stakes if nominated for the race. Remaining positions in the Kindergarten Stakes will be determined as per normal Manual Field Selection policy (horses must have contested one Prelude). Preludes may be altered to $1500 non penalty events if the field is deemed not of a suitable standard for 3 David Thuen Racing Operations Manager
RACING OPERATIONS REPORT normal TAB coverage. As a guide this may be where there a 5 nominations or less. Where possible, HRSA will attempt to run these races with TAB coverage. UPDATED Race programme VICTOR HARBOR Monday 29 December 2014 (Day meeting) Nominations close: 2:00 PM Tues 23 December 2014 Acceptances: 9:00 AM Wednesday 24 December 2014 Race fields available: 12:00 PM Wed 24 December 2014 VHC29121401 SS DISCRETIONARY HANDICAP $5,000 C7 Or Better Dis Hcp, 2160 RBD VHC29121402 MS COMBINED PACE $5,000 C4 To C6. 1660 PBD/C *Also eligible claimers with a claiming price not more than $8, 000. *For horses which have not won a $5, 000 or greater race in their last 6 starts. *Concession claims allowed within the classes of this race. VHC29121403 MS COMBINED PACE $5,000 C2 To C3., 2160 PBD/C *For horses with no more than 32 field selection points at close of nominations. *Field will be selected in ascending points score order (ie from the bottom up). VHC29121404 MS PACE $5,000 C1 Only., 1660 PBD/FSP *For horses with no more than 32 field selection points at close of nominations. *Field will be selected in ascending points score order (ie from the bottom up). VHC29121405 MS PACE $5,000 C0 Only., 1660 RBD *Field will be selected in ascending points score order (ie from the bottom up). VHC29121406 MS 3YO PACE $5,000 3YO, 3C0 Only 1660 RBD VHC29121407 SS TROTTERS HANDICAP $5,000 T0 Or Better 2160 RBD VHC29121408 MS STANDBY CONDITIONED PACE $5,000 2160 DIVIDED CONDITIONS *For horses with no more than 24 field selection points & no more than 3 lifetime wins. *The HRSA Handicapping Panel will determine field selection and frame race conditions and barrier draw from nominations received. *Standby race to be run if required. NO CONCESSION CLAIMS VHC29121409 MS CLAIMING PACE $5,000 Claim not exceeding 5000.00, 2160 PBD/CLAIM Stakes shown exclude GST. GST will be paid to owners who are registered for GST purposes. 2015 Country Graduation Conditions The 2015 Country Graduation series will be run over eight race meetings. Heats will be run at six separate race meetings and the Semi-Finals and Final will be held at Globe Derby. Race Dates: Heats $2,500 each Sunday 22nd February - Victor Harbor (2160m) Sunday 1st March - Kapunda (2220m) Sunday 8th March - Whyalla (1920m) Friday 13th March - Mount Gambier (2190m) Monday 16th March - Globe Derby (2230m) Friday 20th March - Port Pirie (2050m) Semi-Finals $3,000 each Saturday 28th March - Globe Derby (2230m) Country Graduation Final - $10,000 Saturday 4th April - Globe Derby (2230m) Conditions of Entry: For horses 4YO & older assessed C1 C2; heats and semi-final winners incur a Graduation Penalty (R). Barrier draws for all races in the series will be PBD/C. A horse that wins a heat or semi-final retains its handicap class for the semi-final or final. A horse that wins outside of the series (after it has been drawn into a heat) remains eligible and retains its class for any remaining races in the series. Horses selected in a heat are deemed to be final acceptors in all rounds of heats, semi-finals and the final. If a horse is scratched from a heat or semi final the scratching penalty will apply from midnight of the day of the heat or semi-final. If a horse is scratched from the final the scratching penalty will apply from midnight of the day of the final. Horses may contest more than one heat; however, preference in the selection of fields will be given to horses that have not contested a heat. If a horse has already qualified for the final contests another heat, and again finishes in a qualifying position, the next placed horse in the latter heat will be declared the qualifier. If any qualified horse is unable to take its place in the semi-final or final, the next place horse in the heat or semi-final, will be declared the qualifier. Horses which qualify for a semi-final or final will not be permitted to start in any other race on the day the semi-final or final is scheduled. The number of horses which qualify from each heat will depend on the field limit of the semi-finals and how many heats are run. Where horses finish in the same qualifying positions in the heats and there are not enough berths for the semi-finals a ballot will be conducted for the number of positions required. The positions in the final will be determined by finishing positions in the semi-finals. If ballot required for positions in the final, it will be determined on 4
RACING OPERATIONS REPORT fastest individual times. If times are the same, then a random draw will take place. Prizemoney distribution for Final will be: 1st - $6,232; 2nd - $1,432; 3rd - $904; 4th $328; 5th to last - $184 In the event of a heat being abandoned after the declaration of acceptances the HRSA Field Selection panel will select the highest point/s scorer/s in accordance with the Automatic Field Selection Criteria from the heat as qualifier/s for the final. Australian Harness Racing Rule 195A will apply. Harness Racing SA Ltd reserves the right to make any alteration or amendment to these conditions that it deems necessary for the proper conduct of the Country Graduation Series. The decision of Harness Racing SA Ltd will be final in respect of any dispute or matter relating to these conditions. POSITIONS VACANT Harness Racing SA Limited (HRSA) is the principal racing authority under the Rules of Racing and is licenced to administer and regulate harness racing within South Australia. Two vacancies exist for the positions of Steward (full time) and Cadet Steward (part time) STEWARD Reporting to the Chair of Stewards, this position contributes to the integrity and fairness of harness racing in South Australia by enforcing the Australian Rules of Racing and HRSA policies. The successful candidate will be required to work weekends, after hours and public holidays. Key skills, experience and qualifications: Experience as a steward in the racing industry Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the Rules of Racing Demonstrated ability to maintain the highest levels of integrity and confidentiality An ability to conduct investigations, analyse data and draw appropriate conclusions An understanding of the principles of procedural fairness and their application to the harness racing industry. Sound communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills Sound computer literacy skills Current drivers licence Remuneration: The successful applicant will be provided with an attractive remuneration package, commensurate to their experience. CADET STEWARD Reporting to the Chair of Stewards, the successful applicant will be required to attend three harness racing meetings per fortnight. The successful applicant will be provided with on and off the job training and will learn all aspects of stewarding including swabbing and starting procedures. Key skills, experience and qualifications: Knowledge of, or a keen interest in, the harness racing industry and an interest in regulatory matters Knowledge of and experience working with horses Applicants must have a high level of integrity, be a self-starter and have a high work ethic. APPLICATIONS (for both positions) Prepare a brief cover letter outlining how your experience and attributes fit with this role. Email your CV and covering letter to bscott@saharness.org.au. Applications should be sent by COB 29 December 2014 All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. Telephone enquiries are welcome by contacting the Chair of Stewards, Barbara Scott on 8285 0736. 5
2015 TattsBet SA Cup Saturday 10 January 2015 Globe Derby Park Sensational premium harness racing Live band Frenzy Free kids rides Free face painting and glitter tattoos Pony Races Tribute to the Centenary of Anzac & Horses in War Mounted Light Horse display and more.. Adults $15, concession $7, kids under 16 free Gates open at 4pm, racing starts around 6pm Biggest night of Harness Racing for the Year! 6