Australian class system not likely for N.Z.

Press, 27 April 1989, Page 40

Australian class system not likely for N.Z.

By

DAVID McCARTHY

The Racing Conference Working Party which first met yesterday to consider any proposed changes to the present class system in racing is unlikely to follow the proposed Australian system even though a number of aspects of it are appealing. Briefly, the system has maiden races as at present and then four classes from A through D. Class A racing is restricted to horses which have not received more than sAust7so in winning money; Class B for winnings of less than sAustlsoo; Class C, sAust2soo and Class D

sAustsooo, again with only winning stakes counted. New Zealand horses are not eligible for these races once they have won a maiden. Once a horse has won more than sAustsooo in winning stakes it goes into a second Class system ranging from Class One to Class Six each number referring to wins. Wins in the Class A to D system do not count for the second range of classes. After six further wins in such company a horse graduates to open company. However winners of one open race which is only for three-year-olds may remain eligible for Class Five and Class Six

races to encourage opportunities for younger horses. New Zealand horses are said to be better off under the new Australian system but that could be determined by what race or races they have won here. Any winner of a maiden race in New Zealand comes into the new Australian system at Class Three level. A horse may win one open race and remain eligible for Class Six irrespective of its age. In theory a one win horse in New Zealand could be competing against horses with five or six wins to their credit. A number of aspects of the Australian system

could appeal to New Zealand trainers, and suit the racing scene here, but the general belief is that we do not have the horse population in this country to support so many classes. • The Working' Party is more likely to consider minor changes to the present Class system one of which may well restrict the number of Class One races programmed. It is interesting that the Australian Class A-D system uses stake money won as its basis. A similar system was used when class racing was first introduced to New Zealand but proved too complicated for continued use.

Research by Australian club administrators puts the finger on the problem which the New Zealand class system suffers from, the lack of open-class horses being developed. The research shows that 71 percent of all horses do not win more than two races, 79 percent do not win more than three, 84 percent four and 91 percent do not win more than six races. Forty percent of horses surveyed have failed to win. The new Australian system \has addressed itself to the problem in an interesting way and any proposals for change here will be awaited with interest.