Change In Timing Of Thoroughbred Barrier Draws
13 May, 2016
Thoroughbred
Media Release – RWWA Racing Department – Thorougbreds
The Thoroughbred Racing Consultative Group (TRCG) today endorsed a recommendation from Racing & Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) to implement a trial that involves a change in timing of barrier draws for races in Western Australia, commencing from June 1st 2016.
Under the current system barriers for all races are drawn at release of weights.
After the release of weights horses are then either withdrawn or accepted in their races, with barriers then adjusted accordingly, and a final field then declared. Many horses are withdrawn after release of weights because they have drawn wide in a provisional field.
On many occasions there are such a heavy number of withdrawn horses, that the final field invariably ends up with less than 8 acceptors, consequently becoming a pay 1,2 only event.
Analysis has shown there has been a total of 67 pay 1,2 races at Prime Metropolitan race meetings so far this season (August 1 – April 30). This represents an alarming increase in the number of pay 1,2 races on prime metropolitan race cards in comparison to previous seasons and is impacting negatively on wagering turnover.
Season |
Pay 1,2 |
Total Races |
% |
2013/14 Entire season |
39 |
408 |
9.55% |
2014/15 Entire season |
56 |
421 |
13.30% |
2015/16 (Aug 1 – April 30) |
67 |
314 |
21.33% |
Amending the timing of the barrier draw, provides the flexibility to extend acceptances and allow withdrawn horses to be re-accepted into a field to reduce the number of pay 1,2 races. This is a strategy that has proven successful in a number of other racing jurisdictions in Australia.
“It is clearly evident that the increasing number of pay 1,2 races at our prime wagering meetings is unsatisfactory.” Acting Manager of Thoroughbred Racing, Ian Malpass said.
“The wagering customer expects more from our prime metropolitan racing product and we must enact policy change to bring this increasing number under control.”
Data analysis has also indicated an alarming decrease in the number of individual runners to start in Western Australia in the current racing season.
“Realistically, the biggest influence on small fields is the fact we are attempting to maintain the same volume of racing with a significantly reduced pool of horses, contributing to the increased number of small fields.”
“This is an issue that RWWA will continue to work on closely with the industry, and any strategic changes will be considered thoroughly in an attempt to improve the number of individual runners in WA.” Malpass said.
A condition of the trial is that the $45 non-acceptance fee that is charged to trainers will be abolished, and trainers and owners will still have the opportunity to assess final fields before the requirement to name their jockeys.
The outcomes of the trial will continue to be monitored closely and continuously, with no end date set.