Harness Racing SA, 1 Globe Derby Drive, Globe Derby Park SA 5110Telephone: (08) 8285 2899, Facsimile: (08) 8285 2961

www.saharnessracing.comABN: 68 094 559 930

On thePaceNewsletter for the SA Harness Racing Industry

October 2015 Edition

FROM THE CEO

John Lewis, CEO HRSA

INDUSTRY LEVY RESCINDEDAt its meeting on 28 October 2015, the HRSA Board formally rescinded the

industry levy. As part of its deliberations, the Board considered the significant comment and feedback from industry participants in relation to this matter including at the industry meeting attended by myself and industry participants held on Sunday 25 October. Importantly the Board re-affirmed the importance of prizemoney to industry participants, and also acknowledged that any reduction in prizemoney levels would have a negative impact on the code’s wellbeing.

HANDICAPPING SUB-COMMITTEE CONVENEDAt the harness racing industry meeting held on Sunday 25 October there was considerable discussion regarding concerns about the current handicapping system in South Australia. The meeting agreed to form a handicapping sub-committee which will develop a revised handicapping system by Friday 27 November. The sub-committee’s final recommendations will then be circulated to the industry for comment. The HRSA Board will then consider the matter at its meeting on Wednesday 27 January.

The handicapping sub-committee is as follows:

• Gary Crocker• Jill Neilson• Gary Buckley• Bronte Giorgio• Chris Neilson• Lui Trotta• Bev Gidman• Jonathon Kingston Mayne

The HRSA Chairman and Racing Operations Manager will also sit on the sub-committee. Any submissions from industry participants can either be made directly to sub-committee members or to the Racing Operations Manager by Friday 20 November 2015.

GUARANTEED TRIFECTA POOLS FOR SA HARNESS RACINGAs part of its commitment to generate wagering growth, and following negotiations with UBET, HRSA are pleased to announce an increase in the number of guaranteed jackpot pools on local harness racing. Currently there is one guaranteed jackpot trifecta/exacta pool allocated to race 1 on a fortnightly basis, which will continue. Therefore, in addition to the current arrangement, commencing Friday 6 November, there will be a guaranteed trifecta pool of $10,000 for the first two races on Friday and Saturday night race meetings at Globe Derby Park and Port Pirie.

As stated earlier, at present UBET provide a jackpot every Saturday fortnight on race 1 for the trifecta/exacta. This arrangement will continue with the $10,000 trifecta guarantee only applying to race 2 on that night.

This will be conducted over a trial period of 3 months. During that period, we will monitor the impact on wagering including further consideration of extending the initiative to include Monday race meetings at Globe Derby Park.

HRSA ANNUAL REPORTThe HRSA AGM will be held on Sunday 8 November. The annual report including the statement of financial accounts will be published on the HRSA website in the week commencing 9 November 2015. Additionally copies of the annual report will be available from the HRSA Office and also the SAHRC Secretary’s Office

H A R N E S S R A C I N G S A

Annual Report

2 0 1 5

CHAIR OF STEWARDS REPORT

Barbara ScottChair of Stewards

CHANGE OF TACTICSThe Change of Tactics rule continues to be a point of discussion between trainers / drivers and stewards. The following clarification is provided:

The Australian Harness Racing Rules at 44 state:

(1) A driver or 1 or more of the connections of a horse intending to adopt during a race tactics contrary to the horse’s usual racing pattern shall, as soon as practicable, so notify the Stewards.

(2) The Stewards may approve or disapprove the change of tactics.

(3) In the event of the Stewards approving a change of tactics, then in the absence of unforseen circumstances, the horse shall be driven in accordance with the approved change.

(4) A person who fails to comply with sub rules (1) or (3) or changes tactics without approval given under sub rule (2) is guilty of an offence.

(5) For the purposes of determining the usual racing pattern of a horse, the Stewards shall take into account the manner in which the horse has been driven at its most recent starts.

The first part of the rule deals with the intention of connections to change the racing pattern of a horse. A horses’ racing pattern is determined by the manner in which it has been driven at its most recent starts. This means for example, if a horse has, at its most recent starts been restrained off the gate from a wide barrier draw and driven in a rearward trailing position, that is its usual racing pattern. If that same horse then draws barrier 1 and connections intend for it to lead or race in a forward position, they have an obligation to advise the stewards of a change of tactics.

The racing pattern of a horse remains with the horse. This means it is irrelevant if a horse changes trainers, changes drivers or changes ownership. The rule relates to the racing pattern of a horse, not its new training regime or changed driver.

For the purposes of this rule, barrier draws, race distances or class of race are also not taken into account. Again, the rule relates to the pure racing pattern of a horse and where a horse is drawn, the distance of the race or its opposition do not negate the obligation of connections to advise if they intend to change tactics.

Stewards believe a horse can fit into several defined patterns. These are:

• Forward.The horse showsgate speed and races in aforward position

• Forwardandtakecover.Thehorseshowsgatespeedand races in a forward position with a trail.

• Back.Thehorseisrestrainedoffthegateandracesinarearward position

• Moreaggressive.Thehorseisdrivenaggressively,eitherholding outside the leader or in a genuine tempo.

• Less aggressive.The horse is driven less aggressivelythan previously, surrendering the position outside the

leader or obtaining cover or making one run in the latter stages of the race.

Once approval is granted by the stewards for a change of tactics, then in the absence of exceptional circumstances, the horse is to be driven in that manner. The rule provides no guidance on what are exceptional circumstances therefore each case would be decided on its merits. The driver would need to satisfy the stewards that the decision they made (to not drive the horse in accordance with its approved change of tactics) was made during the race as a result of something that happened, eg; interference, tempo, other drivers tactics and those circumstances could not be predicted (foreseen).

Once a change of tactics is approved, those tactics become the racing pattern of the horse and if connections wish to revert to a previous racing pattern or a different racing pattern, approval will need to be sought from the stewards prior to the race.

Once a change of tactics is approved, it is communicated to the public via the HRSA Twitter account and via the race-caller on course. In addition, stewards will announce any change of tactics via the public address system in the raceday stalls at Globe Derby.

Stewards understand the often cited argument that owners pay good money to have their horse trained and the element of surprise in relation to tactics can sometimes be a huge advantage meaning a better financial return for those directly involved with the horse. However, the change of tactics rule is in place to protect the punters. It protects those people that make decisions prior to a race about which horse to wager on. A punter is entitled to have all the facts and make a calculated and considered decision in relation to which horse or horses to support. Without punters there would be no turnover which would result in no prizemoney and ultimately no industry.

RACE DAY STALLSLicenced persons have several responsibilities on race day, not limited to the preparation of their horses for racing.

Children in the stabling areaChildren under the age of 14 years are not permitted to be in the stabling area on race days. The Australian Harness Racing Rules state a licenced person must take all reasonable steps to ensure that a child under their care and/or control and who has not attained the age of 14 years shall not enter the stabling area at a race meeting unless that child is separated from the horse stalls by a barrier preventing direct access to the horse stalls. This means children under 14 years of age cannot be seated in the raceday stalls, cannot walk around the raceday stalls and cannot accompany their parents into the raceday stalls. At Globe Derby there is a designated fenced off area in the centre of the horse stalls that prevents direct access to the horses and horse stalls. Please ensure children under the age of 14 years remain inside that designated area. Licenced persons who

CHAIR OF STEWARDS REPORT

ELECTRONIC STATEMENTSFrom 1 July 2015 HRSA introduced a new accounting system. This system enables HRSA to email statements on the day the stakes payment run is processed rather than being posted. If you have not already done so, please submit in writing or send an email to Kathryn Nicolai (knicolai@saharness.org.au) advising your email address. It should be noted that paper statements can take up to 7 days to be posted.

Oliver BottFinance Manager

FINANCE UPDATE

CHAIR OF STEWARDS REPORTcontravene this rule are guilty of an offence. Stewards will be imposing fines on licenced persons who fail to adhere to this rule.

Adequate FootwearA person when engaged in any activity relating to the care, control, training or management of a horse shall wear adequate footwear, clothing and other protective bodily coverings. Stewards would consider adequate footwear to be fully enclosed shoes made of materials that would support and protect the feet from injury.

Dress RegulationsLicencees are expected to present themselves to an appropriate standard and convey a positive image whilst at a race meeting. A Code of Conduct and Dress Regulations were introduced in February 2015 which sets out the standards of behaviour and presentation expected of licenced persons in the South Australian harness racing industry. Unacceptable conduct is detrimental to the image of harness racing and is not tolerated. Similarly, the appearance of licenced persons conveys an image of the sport and Dress Regulations ensure a positive image is conveyed.

The following attire is deemed unacceptable:• trackpantsoroveralls• singlets• ragged,tattered,uncleanortornclothing• clothingwithracistoroffensiveslogans• thongs, sandals, dilapidated shoes, ugg boots or

slippers• board shorts, bathers, bikini tops or similar beach

attire

The following attire is deemed acceptable:• dressesorskirts• trousersorjeans• dressshorts• collaredshirts• t-shirts• enclosed shoes that provide adequate protection

(joggers are permitted so long as they are clean and in good condition)

Trainers, stablehands and drivers (other than when in their racing attire) are required to comply with this policy. Licencees who fail to comply with these dress regulations may face disciplinary action from the Stewards.

EFT PAYMENTS TO HRSAPlease note that payment for your account can be made by EFT to HRSA bank – BSB 035-047; Account 194535. Account name: Harness Racing SA Ltd.

When making payment to HRSA bank, please email (knicolai@saharness.org.au) to advise that payment has been made in order for this payment to be allocated to the correct customer account.Thank you.

UPCOMING STAKE RUNSThursday 5th November

Thursday 19th November

RACING OPERATIONS REPORT

David ThuenRacing Operations Manager

FIELD SELECTIONTrainers please be aware that manual field selection is used for races of prizemoney in excess of $5,000 or heats for a Final of greater than $5,000 in South Australia. Races of prizemoney $5,000 or under will be selected by the Automatic Field Selection Policy.

PORT PIRIE PROGRAMMINGTrainers please be aware HRSA will be increasing prizemoney to selected races programmed at Port Pirie from October through to December. Trainers will be notified in due course as to which races have been increased.

VICTOR HARBOR CUPThere has been a change to the date of the Victor Harbor Pacing Cup. Previously the race was programmed to be held on Monday December 28 2015. At the request of the club it will now be held on Monday January 25 2016.

NEVADA SMOKE SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD NOMINATIONSNominations are now open for Nevada Smoke Special Achievement Award. This award is presented to a member of the Harness Racing Industry who has embraced the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the industry, provided exceptional service and advice to the industry and promoted harness racing in South Australia.

Nominations should state the name of the nominee and a brief statement of why you believe they should be named “Nevada Smoke Special Achievement recipient for 2015”. Applications are open to all members of the Harness Racing Industry. Nominations must be sent to Leanne Galgey by close of business on Monday 9th November 2015

2YO PACER (FILLY) 2YO PACER (COLT/GELDING)

3YO PACER (FILLY) 3YO PACER (COLT/GELDING)

Cool Character Alto Cumulus Linvel Ann AmightyfinehorseHilltop Rose Jumping Jolt Lovelist Glenferrie BunterHilltop Sophia Presidentmach Starburst Girl Hez The OneJust Wantano Rap Artist Whats Emma Got Hit MakaLittle Miss Piggy Regal Major Jax NavaroRockfromcork The Big Show Lookofalegend NZ

Tyrion Smiling Crest 4YO & OLDER PACER 2YO TROTTER 3YO TROTTER 4YO & OLDER TROTTERCome On Frank Bachi Boy Bee A Lassie Chuck WagonMark Dennis NZ Coolbreeze Bold Law Me An Kel NZPurple Royale Hard Done By Nico SerranoSome Kinda Tactics NZ Illawong Cognac PocketfullofcashThe Smiler NZ Rejuvenation

BROODMARE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONSWe are now calling for nominations for the SA Broodmare of the Year for season 2014-15. When nominating a broodmare, the performances of her progeny for the 2014-15 racing season are to be considered. The broodmare must be owned by a resident of SA. After nominations are received, the Horse of the Year panel will be asked to vote for their top choice. Nominations for this award can be made with the Racing Office until COB Monday 9th November 2015.

SA HORSE OF THE YEAR FINALISTSHarness Racing SA wishes to confirm all finalists for the 2014-15 Horse of the Year awards. The Horse of the Year Function will be held at Globe Derby Park on Sunday 22nd November commencing at 5:30pm in the Paceway Restaurant. Please contact HRSA for booking details.

The finalists reflect a high quality of horses in each category. The 2 and 3 year old categories provided an opportunity to split the awards into Fillies & Colts/Geldings and the re-introduction of a separate 2 year old and 3 year old category for trotters.

Panel members will now cast their votes in each category and the winners will be announced at the function. The panel members will also vote for the SA Horse of the Year, which will come from one of the category winners.

HORSE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

HORSE OF THE YEAR

NEW FORMAT!

Sunday 22nd November 2015Paceway Restaurant, Globe Derby Park5:30PM start3 Course mealDJ Entertainment, MC and door prizesDress: cocktail/party

$45 per head

To book your seat or a table, contact Harness Racing SA on 8285 0700 during office hours.

Selection of Petit Entrees

Your choice of mains:

Pave of Beef

Porterhouse beef seared with garlic and

Served with Celeriac pure and jus fondant

potato

Butter Roast Chicken Supreme

With roast squash mash and a shallot and

thyme jus

Braised Salmon

Lased with white wine and cream veloute,

Garnishes with puff pastry with

Seared prawn and spinach

Gourmet Dessert Plate

Coffee and Chocolate Mint