Alterations to allowances

Press, 16 July 1983, Page 19

Alterations to allowances

From J. J. BOYLE

Wellington Apprentices will in future be able to claim allowances in certain set-weight races as well as handicap events which carry stakes up to $5OOO. But they will be unable to claim 4.5 kg after one win. At present they can claim 4.5 kg up to and. including five wins. Allowances of 3kg can be claimed in future by apprentices with from two to 15 wins inclusive. Exclusions to the amended

resolution brought forward by the Avondale Jockey Club at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference yesterday still preserve the present conditions regarding apprentice allowances not being claimable in weight-for-age or weight-for-age based races as well as three-year-old set-weight events, such as derby or guineas trials. Amendments concerning riders in highweights were also approved by yesterday’s meeting. The ' amendments preserve

the situation of protecting jumping riders to have first option of rides in highweight events if they have ridden in five or more jumping races during the preceding season. Other riders who have not had five jumping rides in the previous season but have not had less than 50 career rides in jumping races will be eligible to ride without penalty in highweights only if there are not enough qualified jumping riders available. In the event of there still being a shortage of riders at

time of weigh-out for a highweight, a third category remains open to flat jockeys who have ridden five but not more than 30 winners in flat races to take a mount without penalty. If the first three options have been exhausted any jockey can ride carrying a penalty of one kilogram. The amendments will eliminate the unsatisfactory requirement of horses carrying 3kg penalties when sufficient qualified riders are unavailable.