Thoroughbred Training Series – Race day times for Trainers
15 December 2023
Racing Australia dictates times for jockey declarations and scratchings but, Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Chief Thoroughbred Steward Josh Adams is reminding Queensland trainers of their obligations to comply with key race day times to avoid breaching the rules of racing.
The following are the relevant rules pertaining to race day times and an explanation.
LR 67 (3) Declaration of a rider for an emergency
Provided that for an emergency runner, riders must be declared by 9.30am on the morning of the race.
THIS MEANS: All Jockeys must be declared on emergency runners by 9.30am on race day.
LR 36 (6) Accepting for more than one race at the same meeting
Where a horse has accepted for more than one race at the same meeting, and provided that horse makes the field in more than one race, it must be scratched in all but one of those races, irrespective of rating, weight, performance or qualification status as follows:
(a) If the race meeting is a TAB meeting, prior to 5pm on the day of acceptances;(b) Otherwise, prior to the advertised scratching time.
THIS MEANS: If a horse has accepted for more then one race at a TAB race meeting, the trainer or owner must decide what race they will start in by 5pm on the day of acceptances and scratch their horse from the remaining races. For Non TAB race meetings, the trainer or owner must decide by the advertised scratching time and scratch from the remaining races.
LR 36 (7) Scratching times for horses accepted in another race at the same race meeting
Where a horse makes the field for a race at a TAB meeting after 5pm on the day of acceptances, and it is already in the field for another race at the same Race Meeting, then it must be scratched out of all but one of those races, irrespective of rating, weight, performance or qualification status by;
(a) 6pm on the day it is confirmed to have made the field for both races; or
(b) The advertised scratching time. Whichever is earlier.
THIS MEANS: If a trainer decides to accept in more than one race at a race meeting and one of those races the horse becomes an emergency, if the horse gains a start after 5pm on the day of acceptances, the trainer has until 6pm on that day it is confirmed in the field to decide which race they intend on starting. If notified close to the deadline, it is expected that a trainer or owner will have decided which race they intend to start in.
LR 36 (9) Accepting for a feature race and another race at the same meeting
Where a horse is declared an emergency runner in a feature race and is declared an acceptor in another race in the program, the horse;
(a) May be scratched from the feature race by 5pm on the day of acceptances; and,
(b) If not scratched from the feature race by 5pm on the day of acceptances, it must start in the feature race if a position is made available.
THIS MEANS: If a trainer or owner decides to accept for more than one race at a race meeting, and if that horse gains a start in a feature race, the trainer or owner must decide which race they intend on starting in by 5pm on the day of acceptances. After this point, the horse must start in the feature race.
LR 30 Time for on course horse arrival
(1) For the purposes of AR 165 and subject to LR 30(2), all horses intended to be run in any race must be on the racecourse in the race day stall area in accordance with the following timeframes:
(a) at a Metropolitan Race Meeting, at least 2 hours prior to the time appointed for the start of the race unless:
(i) the horse is engaged in the first race, in which case the required arrival time
is at least 1.5 hours prior to the time appointed for the start of the race; or(ii) the horse is engaged in a Group Race, in which case the required arrival time is at least 3 hours prior to the time appointed for the start of the race;
(b) at a TAB Meeting (other than a Metropolitan TAB Meeting), at least 1.5 hours prior to the time appointed for the start of the race; and
(c) at a Non-TAB Meeting, at least 1 hour prior to the time appointed for the start of the race.
(2) The stewards may, by notice from time to time, amend the prescribed horse arrival times for race meetings.
THIS MEANS: Unless otherwise advised by the stewards, all horses must be on course in accordance with LR30 by the below times;
- Group races – 3 hours
- Metropolitan – 2 hours (1.5 hours if accepted in race 1)
- TAB race meeting other than Metropolitan – 1.5 hours
- Non-TAB – 1 Hour.
AR 100 Notifications in relation to changed riding instructions
(1) A trainer or the trainer’s authorised representative:
(a) must notify the stewards of any instruction or arrangement to the effect that a horse is to be ridden in a manner different to how the horse was ridden at its most recent start or starts;
(b) must make the notification referred to in sub-rule (1)(a) as soon as practicable and not later than 30 minutes prior to the race.
THIS MEANS: This allows stewards to effectively distribute this information to wagering providers, and to the industry. If a change of tactics has not been notified, it is expected that the horse will settle in a position consistent with previous starts.
AR 165 Horses in the saddling paddock
(3) Unless the stewards order otherwise, a horse that has competed in a race is not permitted to be removed from the saddling paddock (or other designated area) until at least 30 minutes after the finish of the race.
THIS MEANS: Runners are required to remain on course following competing for 30 mins to allow the horse to sufficiently recover prior to being transported and allow for stewards to take samples or examine the horse if required.
For more information: THBstewards@QRIC.qld.gov.au