The minimum topweight in benchmark races will be raised two kilograms from October following a Racing NSW review into Sydney field sizes.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys said the compression of weights had become an issue and hoped increasing the minimum topweight to 61kg would provide more opportunities for lower-rated horses to progress through the grades.

"The increase in the benchmark weight and overall spread of weights will make for more competitive races and improve winning opportunities for more horses at the bottom of weights," V'landys said.

The change to minimum topweights was among several amendments to the handicapping system announced by Racing NSW on Thursday.

Handicappers have also been given more discretion in the way they weight a horse against its benchmark rating.

Country-performed horses can currently be handicapped up to 3kg below their benchmark rating when they tackle a metropolitan race but Racing NSW's review found that was insufficient.

Under the changes, bush gallopers will be given up to 6kg less than their benchmark level in a bid to help more country-trained horses make a successful transition to city racing.

Handicappers will also have more room to move when determining whether to decrease the benchmark rating of a horse struggling for form.

Apprentice jockeys will also benefit and will be able to ride more winners before their allowances are reduced.

However, the biggest change will be for junior riders who finish their time.

They will be allowed to continue with a 1kg allowance during their first season as a jockey until they reach 90 winners to help their transition to the senior ranks.

The changes will be introduced from October 1 this year and will be reviewed again in six months.

-source AAP

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CP,
when racing NSW make changes as such, is this become a national "rule",
( similar in principle to AFL rule changes),
or is this just for NSW racing ?

Thanks

[QUOTE=Chrome Prince]The minimum topweight in benchmark races will be raised two kilograms from October following a Racing NSW review into Sydney field sizes.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys said the compression of weights had become an issue and hoped increasing the minimum topweight to 61kg would provide more opportunities for lower-rated horses to progress through the grades.

"The increase in the benchmark weight and overall spread of weights will make for more competitive races and improve winning opportunities for more horses at the bottom of weights," V'landys said.

The change to minimum topweights was among several amendments to the handicapping system announced by Racing NSW on Thursday.

Handicappers have also been given more discretion in the way they weight a horse against its benchmark rating.

Country-performed horses can currently be handicapped up to 3kg below their benchmark rating when they tackle a metropolitan race but Racing NSW's review found that was insufficient.

Under the changes, bush gallopers will be given up to 6kg less than their benchmark level in a bid to help more country-trained horses make a successful transition to city racing.

Handicappers will also have more room to move when determining whether to decrease the benchmark rating of a horse struggling for form.

Apprentice jockeys will also benefit and will be able to ride more winners before their allowances are reduced.

However, the biggest change will be for junior riders who finish their time.

They will be allowed to continue with a 1kg allowance during their first season as a jockey until they reach 90 winners to help their transition to the senior ranks.

The changes will be introduced from October 1 this year and will be reviewed again in six months.

-source AAP[/QUOTE]

I complained on my thread about this last week,
And U/B backed me up.

The solution is simple.

Sydney saturate that states racing with to many meetings.

There simply is not enough horses to cover the,
Amount of meetings they run.

Reduce the amount of meetings.

Take a look at the next three days.

There are five Country meetings in three days,
And they wonder why Country trainers won't bring their horses to town..
Yeah good one.

They will do everything to fix the,
Problem except what actually needs to be done.

Remember what this same bloke did to stifle wagering.

Cheers.
Garyf.

Not National like the track going changes, but it probably is a trial and if successful, other states may follow, but I doubt it myself. The problem is Sydney based as Gary points out.

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*RaceCensus now updated to 31/03/2024
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