National Ratings/Programming in Victoria
Circumstances have caused me to conduct a review of racing opportunities for my NR64 trotter in Victoria.
Under NR and current programming for the period 8/8 to 30/9 2019 he is eligible for:
4 mobile races with a Snr driver with no prospect of drawing towards the inside on the front row under PBD NR
10 mobile races using a minimum 3NR point concession driver, no prospect of drawing towards the inside of the front row.
26 standing start races, minimum of 10m handicap with Snr driver on 5 occasions. Majority of races would be drawn off 20m to 30m, on some occasions 40m or more.
Under previous class system he would be assessed a T1 trotter, on last years results for the period 8/8 to 30/9 2018, if identical programming continued for the same period this year he would have been eligible for:
16 mobile start races, all with a Snr Driver and 5 opportunities to draw inside of the front line.
23 standing start races with Snr Driver able to start from front row on 13 occasions, and never off further then 10m.
He has won 4 races lifetime, 2 former “C” class and 2 former “R” class, yet rather then have his racing opportunities improved and career extended by National Ratings and revised programming it would appear the opposite is occurring. I have raised my concerns with HRV. I can only suggest that other owners and trainers review their horses racing opportunities and if they identify similar concerns, raise them with HRV. The industry cannot afford to lose horses from the racing pool.