Hi guys...I've noticed in the paper and on the tab site this "BENCHMARK"...Does anyone know exactly what this is? It may say "benchmark 65, benchmark 75 etc. Is this some kind of class? How do they come up with this bench mark and can anyone find or calculate this manually by doing some kind of formula? Just curious. Thanks guys.

Hi lcm123,

See below an excerpt from Racing NSW re the Benchmark system.

http://www.racingnsw.com.au/site/_c...0293-source.pdf

ii) Benchmark Programming

Ratings races were replaced on 1 October 2009 by BENCHMARK races. The
Benchmark Level published in the race programme denotes the point at which a (mature
male) horse with the same benchmark figure will carry 58kg in that race.

The weight to be carried by horses depends on their benchmark figure relative to the
benchmark level of the race with each 1 point variance equaling 0.5kg.

Where horses have benchmark figures lower than the benchmark level of the race, they
will be allotted a 0.5kg less than 58kg for each point their benchmark figure is below
58kg (down to the limit weight applying for the race).

Example - consider a BENCHMARK 70 race attracts the nomination of a 5yo gelding
with a benchmark figure of 65. This horse will be allotted 55.5kg (= 58kg - 2.5kg, being
five points below the benchmark figure of the race).

Where horses have benchmark figures higher than the benchmark level of the race, they
will be allotted 0.5kg more than 58kg for each point their benchmark figure is above
58kg.

Example - consider a BENCHMARK 70 race attracts the nomination of a 5yo gelding
with a benchmark figure of 75. This horse will be allotted 60.5kg (= 58kg + 2.5kg, being
five points above the benchmark figure of the race).

In all mixed sex races, fillies and mares shall receive a weight reduction of 2kg against
the weight aligned to their benchmark figure.

Example - consider a BENCHMARK 70 race attracts the nomination of a 5yo mare with
a benchmark figure of 67. This horse will be allotted 54.5kg (= 58kg - 1.5kg - 2kg, being
three points below the benchmark figure of the race and less 2kg for being a mare).

In races where 2 and 3-Y-O horses race against older (4YO+) horses they are eligible to
receive a weight allowance from their Benchmark figures depending on time of year of
the race.

Example - consider a BENCHMARK 70 race attracts the nomination of a 3yo colt with a
benchmark figure of 69. Assume the race is held in December where 3yos receive a 1.5kg
weight allowance. This horse will be allotted 56kg (= 58kg - 0.5kg – 1.5kg, being one
point below the benchmark figure of the race and less 1.5kg for being a 3yo).

The key distinction between benchmark programming and ratings band races is that
restrictions are removed from the top of races. By programming BENCHMARK races
there are no restrictions on which horse can nominate (except where age and sex limits
apply). Horses that are rated above the BENCHMARK number of the race are still eligible to compete, albeit with a higher weight, rather than be pushed to a higher grade
as happens with the former ratings races.

It is expected that common sense and prizemoney differentials will ensure that well
performed horses do not nominate for races with benchmark levels significantly below
their own benchmark figure.

In the event that a BENCHMARK race attracts nominations where the top benchmarked
horse has a benchmark figure below the programmed level, the race will have its
benchmark level adjusted downward to the benchmark figure of that horse so that it
carries the minimum topweight allowed under the Rules of Racing AR103 - 58kg.

Example - consider a BENCHMARK 70 race that attracts nominations that have the top
benchmarked horse having a benchmark figure of 68. In a BENCHMARK 70 race, this
horse would normally be allotted 57 kg. However in this instance, as the horse with a
benchmark figure of 68 is the highest benchmarked runner, the race is adjusted
downwards to be a BENCHMARK 68 race and this horse is allotted 58kg for the race.

BENCHMARK races have the following benefits, especially compared to rating band
races.

 Increased number of races for which horses are eligible;
 Greater number of racing opportunities and choice of races to contest;
 Allows trainers to better plan racing campaigns without the risk of becoming
ineligible for races;
 Allows trainers to avoid ‘head to head’ clashes with their horses that they view as
being unfavorable;
 Potentially greater spread of weights in races;
 Enable race programming to better match the horse population; and
 A reduced need to country trained horses to travel long distances to contest a
suitable race

The ballot order for BENCHMARK races is simply the order of the acceptors benchmark
figures from top down. The published order of entry shows a benchmark figure which has
all horses treated equally, not requiring an adjustment to the benchmark figure for age or
sex in determining the ballot order. This method of establishing the ballot order is
consistent with producing the best quality races.

The Schmile

Hi TheSchmile...Thanks for that mate. Just one thing...If a race is BM70 and the last race of a runner is...say BM50, does that mean that horse is up in class today..?(visa versa...race BM50 and last race BM70 would be down in class, yeah?). Thanks buddy.

You've got it exactly right lcm123.

For example: Today in the country there's lots of 50-60 benchmark races. Tomorrow at Rosehill they're all between 75-85 rated races, with better class horses.

Any other questions feel free to ask and have a super Friday.

The Schmile

The only thing i can add to this is different states have different name but not sure of the class level some states will have RB50 and RB70 i would assume they are the same thing but as to the class between the states this is something you will have to develop.

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All good info, but where do you think an open handicap rates against a BM95.