HRNZ update on Implementation Utilisation Reference Group Report

Harness Racing New Zealand has decided on the 26 May as the implementation date for new regulations on Handicapping, Programming and Ratings.

This revised date was selected for two reasons.  Firstly, to release everything at once.  Secondly, to cause minimal disruption to planned race series in the autumn (for which conditions have been set), and to avoid significant races from now until then.

The regulations will be in three parts:

a.    Part A – The Rating System.  The major IT work for this has been completed.
b.    Part B – Updated Handicapping Regulation, including programming, and relevant rules where needed; and
c.    Part C – Update process for nominations, acceptances, scratchings etc.

The draft of these regulations will be uploaded to this website in early February.  We will provide a question-and-answer responses, and trainers and owners will be able to ask FURTHER questions on implementation.

The core of these changes can be found in the Utilisation Reference’s Group’s Second Report that was endorsed by the Board in September 2024.  To read it, click here.

The National Racing Bureau is also expected to be operational by that date, with a launch expected on April 7.

From Harness Racing New Zealand