TRSA wish to advise the following changes to the ballot conditions for Benchmark 54 races across South Australia from Wednesday 19 August.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Local Rule 16.2, in Benchmark 54 Races the following eligibility and balloting conditions will apply:
Eligibility
- Maidens at time of entry are Ineligible
Balloting
- The field for all Benchmark 54 races will appear on the official weight sheet with a rating allotted at the discretion of the Handicapper.
- After the declaration of weights, the rating may be adjusted for a horse which has won a race(s) between the declaration of weights and the time for final acceptances.
- In the event a ballot is required to eliminate acceptors in order to achieve the field limit prescribed, horses shall be balloted in the following order –
(i) First - Horses rated above the Benchmark of 54 with the highest rating shall be eliminated first in order of the highest rating down to the rating immediately above 54. For the purpose of this elimination conditions, parts (iii) to (v) below shall apply
(ii) Second – After eliminating the horses referred to in (i) above, the lowest rating horses shall be eliminated next in order of the lowest rating up to the rating immediately below 54. For the purpose of this elimination condition, parts (iii) to (v) below shall apply.
(iii) Where two or more horses have the same rating, the older horse shall be eliminated before the younger horse.
(iv) Where two or more horses have the same rating and are of the same age, the horse which has earned the least amount of prize on the flat shall be eliminated first.
(v) Where two or more horses have the same rating, are of the same age, and have earned the same amount of prize on the flat, a ballot shall be conducted in a manner determined by TRSA Limited and approved by the Stewards.”
(vi) After eliminating the horses referred to in (i) and (ii) above, horses rated at the rating of 54 shall be eliminated in accordance with parts (iii) to (v) above
The implementation of this policy change is to ensure that lower rated horses are adequately catered for within the racing program.
Please Note: This policy will apply to any race that in the future, may be programmed at lower than Benchmark 54.
