Owners and trainers will now have better access to prestigious two-year-old races following key qualification amendments introduced by Harness Racing New South Wales.
Long-standing requirements that were introduced in the 1990ās have been abolished after a recent review and revamp of the Two-Year-Old Racing Policy.
Under the new terms, two-year-olds will no longer be required to have had a race start before contesting a heat of the time-honoured Bathurst Gold Crown and Tiara and also the Australian Pacing Gold (APG).
āThis is another example of Harness Racing New South Wales conducting ongoing reviews of how we operate and what best suits the modern and constantly evolving racing industry. But itās about listening to our stakeholders and participants and working through a process,ā HRNSW Chief Executive John Dumesny said.
āWe know the previous conditions have been restrictive and have been the bane of owners and trainers owners who have desperately wanted to race their two-year-olds in the prestige events but have been thwarted by the rule. Iām confident this is a positive step and one which will be for the betterment of our industry.ā
HRNSW determined that its continual upgrade of race tracks, featuring long runs to spacious turns, rendered the need for two-year-olds to undertake a start prior to a heat unnecessary.
āThe tracks at Bathurst and Menangle are not the tight circuits of yesteryear and following consultation with the conducting Clubs full support was given to remove this archaic rule,ā Mr Dumesny said.
āTo many participants, this change will be welcomed, especially by trainers of young horses who have suffered a minor set-back in the quest to compete in these prestige and rich events.
āAlmost every year HRNSW Stewards and Handicappers witness the disappointment of owners of horses who have run out of time because of the rule, but now there will be slightly more breathing room for trainers.ā
Another change to the Policy which takes effect immediately is the two year-old guaranteed races period. It will now be from January through to March.
āWhilst two-year-old horses are proving to be competitive with older horses on low NR points in the first quarter of the year, it was considered necessary to protect and nurture these horses leading up to the early season classics of the NSW Sapling Stakes, Bathurst Gold Crown and Australian Pacing Gold,ā Mr Dumesny said.
āAlthough it is not ideal from a wagering perspective to conduct races with as few as six horses, it is important that opportunities are provided for early season two-year-olds to race against their own age.ā
āThe publication of the Two-Year-Old Calendar well before the start of the season gives trainers a guide as to where to aim their horse, relying of course on there being as few as five other nominations.ā
āEach region has a race scheduled weekly but where there is a demonstrated need, additional races can be added simply by Clubs approaching HRNSW.ā
From April to December each year, a two-year-old race will be programmed on a weekly basis in each region.
However, these races will not be guaranteed with minimum nominations and if conducted, will form part of the standard eight race meeting. Races for fillies and mares will however become a ninth race at meetings, with a minimum eight nominations, and will be programmed as a minimum weekly in each region.
The Two-Year-Old Racing Policy (652.8) can be accessed via THIS LINK.
The 2022 Two-Year-Old Racing Calendar can be accessed via THIS LINK.
From HRNSW