Big handicapping changes not yet needed in N.Z.

Press, 25 August 1983, Page 28

Big handicapping changes not yet needed in N.Z.

By

G. K. YULE

The paucity of pacers in the intermediate or faster classes in New Zealand at present suggests that growing support for the introduction of some aspects of the American handicapping system should be viewed with extreme caution. Many clubs throughout New Zealand are likely to be faced with some fields of only two place dividend proportions in the next three or four months and this could increase the demand for change. Mainly because of an unprecedented increase in the export of horses to North America in the last eight months, and the sale to Australia at a high price of a large number of two and three-year-olds of apparently great potential, the New Zealand scene has been left light on the score of talent.

At present there are only about 100 horses assessed at C 6 and faster to service racing throughout New Zealand, while the numbers in C 4 and C 5 classes are not great. The situation is one which will continue at least until

the Christmas and New Year circuits, after which there should be numerous promotions to the intermediate and faster classes as a result of a heavy racing programme. The Harness Racing Board of Victoria some time back introduced a system of “conditioned” handicapping and plans were in hand for the scheme to be used more extensively this season.

However, strong opposition to the scheme developed among owners and trainers. Only a few days ago it was announced that the system would be left in abeyance until such time as a modified and more practical scheme could be developed. The system allowed the board to run races restricted to horses with certain stake-winnings to their credit within a specified period. Also races could be run for horses which had gained a specified number of wins during a period.

It was felt that the scheme would allow greater flexibility in programming and enable certain types of

horses to secure more frequent racing. Owners and trainers contended that a most unsatisfactory situation was developing as it was impossible to draw up a programme of racing for their horses. At the same time as the system was put aside in Victoria, other states were announcing their intention of adopting the system, which had been introduced by the Australian Trotting Council.

The experience of officials in Victoria could delay the introduction of “conditioned” handicapping elsewhere in Australia.

Another suggestion with some support within New Zealand, is that horses racing in this country should only be penalised for every second win after reaching a C2 or C 3 assessment. This, it is claimed, could lengthen the racing life of horses within this country and might reduce the flood of exports. At first glance there could be merit in this suggestion, but it would also create problems. No changes in the handicapping

system would affect the earning capacity of the likes of Bonnie’s Chance, Hands Down, Armalight and Delightful Lady. But doubling the number of wins a horse could gain after C2 or C 3 before it gained an open class rating, would do little for the industry. It would slow the progress of horses towards the top company and it might not be long before an open class ranking would be gained after 10 wins, several of which would be double ones in intermediate classes.

The New Zealand handicapping system might not be perfect, but it has been evolved to work in closely with the number of permits used each season. It has worked reasonably well for some time now, with a fair flow of horses through the classes providing adequate fields for the majority of clubs.

In most cases when problems have arisen in one or two classes, they have followed on a sudden rush of exports to North America. Should the export rate of the past six months or so

continue, or even increase slightly, there could be problems providing racing for intermediate and fastclass horses. The situation could be eased a little by clubs conducting a survey among trainers to find out the possible number of horses in each class before framing a programme.

Currently too many take the corresponding programme for the previous season and adopt it for the forthcoming meeting with scant regard to the availability of horses in the various intermediate or tight classes. By the time any shortage of horses in a particular class is discovered, it is much too late for a change of programme.

In the meantime clubs will have to give consideration to restricted free-for-all racing in which several classes are run together. Judicious programming could enable them to get by with fields of reasonable size until classes are built up to a reasonable level within the next four months.